Edward and Sophie end Finland visit with school and military stops

Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, met students and conscripts on Wednesday as they concluded a three-day visit to Finland, Yle reported.

Edward visited Havukoski School in Vantaa, where he met young people taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, known as DofE. The programme helps people aged 14 to 24 develop skills based on their interests, with support from a leader. Edward is its international patron.

DofE became part of youth work at the school in autumn 2024 and has since expanded to six lower secondary schools in Vantaa. The programme also runs at youth centres and through Swedish-language youth work. More than 100 young people in the city have started it, and the first bronze awards were completed in December 2025.

The couple also visited the Finnish Defence Forces and learned about the country’s conscription system. Their programme began aboard the Navy missile boat Tornio, where they were briefed on the Baltic Sea as an operational environment and current security issues, including the activities of the shadow fleet.

At the Guards Jaeger Regiment garrison in Santahamina, the couple received an overview of general conscription and military service. They also watched a demonstration of the Helsinki simulator, which is used to train for combat in built-up areas.

Earlier in the visit, the couple met President Alexander Stubb and his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, and visited Helsinki City Hall to meet Mayor Daniel Sazonov and his wife, Anita Westerholm. On Tuesday, Edward visited the newly opened Tiima museum and science centre in Oulu, the Proto design centre and the media art exhibition Kuutaren puutarha. The couple last visited Finland 11 years ago.