The Earl of Wessex is visiting Malaysia this week and was greeted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the monarch of Malaysia, and his wife, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Edward, who is visiting Malaysia and Australia as part of a visit to promote the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, of which he is Chairman, as well as in support of the Commonwealth Games and other business, sporting, youth and environmental interests between the countries and the United Kingdom.
The British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Charles Hay, said ahead of Edward’s trip that “His visit will also cover a broad spectrum of interests – from education and sporting partnerships to joint efforts in tackling plastic waste and conserving the ocean.”
On his first day in the country, Edward visited the King and Queen of Malaysia, marking the first time a member of the British Royal Family had met the Malaysian monarch since his instalment in January of this year.
He also met with athletes who hope to be participating in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham, as well as the Youth and Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Other activities on Edward’s agenda in Malaysia include a screening of Blue Planet II, the BBC production, visiting an exhibition that focuses on ways to save the environment from plastic use and waste, and attending events in relation to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Asia Pacific Regional Conference.
This includes a roundtable discussion to discuss “the values of non-formal education” as well as a Gold Award presentation ceremony for young people across Malaysia.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Asia Pacific Regional Conference runs through Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur and will discuss topics including how to build a strategy for the next several years, special projects and an alumni network.
The Earl of Wessex will begin his visit to Australia after his two-day visit to Malaysia wraps up.
