Be proud of both the British Army and Nepal, Duke of Edinburgh tells new Gurkha recruits
The Duke of Edinburgh has welcomed new Gurkha recruits into the British Army at their attestation parade in Nepal.
Prince Edward told the recruits: "Always remember, you are a soldier in the British Army, but you are a son of Nepal. Be proud of both."
The Duke and his wife Sophie met the 2% of young Nepalis who passed the gruelling and highly competitive selection process to become part of the elite Brigade of Gurkhas.
The royal couple watched the 274 recruits – selected from more than 13,000 applicants – take the oath of allegiance, salute a portrait of the King and touch the Union Flag.
It was part of their royal tour of the Himalayan nation to celebrate its ties with the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the Gurkha base in Pokhara, the Duke told the new recruits: "Thank you for choosing to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army and thank you for swearing allegiance to His Majesty today.
"You are joining a regimental family with strong traditions and a reputation for loyalty, service and courage.
"Gurkhas have served the crown for over 209 years. This now becomes your heritage and your responsibility to uphold.
"Selection, I know, has been hard and the competition very intense, but you have met the very highest standards to serve as a Gurkha and I am impressed that of the 13,000 aspiring recruits, you have made it.
"You will be living and serving a long way from home, which makes your decision even more impressive and, again, on behalf of King Charles and all the British people, we really do thank you and admire your decision."
Edward and Sophie presented 38 Coronation Medals and two long service and good conduct medals to Gurkha staff on parade.
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas played two songs by Lady Gaga as the Duke and Duchess inspected the ranks of new recruits, congratulating them as they went.
The Gurkhas will start flying to Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire on Monday. There they will be first trained as infanteers and then allocated to their regiments or corps as part of the Brigade of Gurkhas, often working within other organisations of the Army.
Trainee Rifleman Sujan Gibchhaki Magar said he had worked hard for this moment for a long time.
He had tried to join the British Army twice before – and said he was excited to finally be flying over to the UK.
Despite tackling some changes, such as the vast difference in climate, the new recruit said: "I'm really excited to do my best and give my best."
After the ceremony, the Duke spoke to some of their emotional relatives, hearing how one family had travelled 18 hours to be there, and telling another: "You must be feeling very proud as well. He's done very well to do this."
Trainee Rifleman Karan Kumar Gurung's family told Prince Edward that, despite not seeing their son for nine months, they were very proud and happy.
The royals listened from a dais as Buddhist and Hindu prayers were given before the attestation oath.
The couple's visit to Nepal also reinforced shared interests including youth opportunity, healthcare, equality for women and girls, and conservation and biodiversity.
The couple also visited the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which offers continued support to veterans and their families.
Previously, King Charles visited Nepal in 1998, and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1986.
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