Prince Edward and Sophie begin three-day visit to Finland

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife, Duchess Sophie, began a three-day visit to Finland on Monday, Yle reports. The programme highlights cooperation between Finland and the United Kingdom in innovation, culture, education, resilience and defence.

On Monday, the couple are due to meet President Alexander Stubb and Suzanne Innes-Stubb. They will also visit Helsinki City Hall to meet Mayor Daniel Sazonov and his spouse, Anita Westerholm. Members of the public can greet the couple outside the City Hall at around 5pm.

On Tuesday, Prince Edward is due to visit Tiima, a newly opened museum and science centre in Oulu, the Proto design centre and the media art exhibition Kuutar’s Garden.

On Wednesday, he will meet young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at Havukoski School in Vantaa. The programme supports 14- to 24-year-olds in developing skills based on their interests, with guidance from a mentor. Edward is patron and chair of the programme’s foundation.

The couple will also visit the Santahamina garrison in Helsinki to observe conscript training.

Edward, born in 1964, is the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth and the younger brother of King Charles. He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, and they have two children. The couple last visited Finland in 2015. Charles granted Edward the title of Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.