The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in great spirits as they arrived in Nepal for their first visit to the Himalayan nation. Prince Edward and Sophie, both 60, arrived separately to the country on Tuesday, ready for a six-day trip to celebrate its links to the UK. Sophie touched down in Nepal's capital Kathmandu first - and her husband arrived a few hours later after wrapping up his four-day tour in India.

The Duchess looked typically elegant in a satin floral dress from Mary Katrantzou, embellished with teal and gold detailing, which she paired with nude Jimmy Choo heels and a Matelier vintage bag. The stunning dress is one that she's worn before - notably when she stepped in for King Charles last year at a reception for Korean War veterans, joining Princess Anne for a rare joint engagement as the monarch received his cancer treatment.

The Duke and Duchess were greeted by the President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel, and signed the visitors book at the Presidential Palace in Maharajgunj. The royal couple will travel to the village of Ghandruk during their first-ever trip to Nepal and will also attend the Attestation Parade for new Gurkha recruits at the British Gurkha Camp in the lakeside city of Pokhara. The trip aims to reinforce the country's shared interests including youth opportunity, healthcare, equality for women and girls, and conservation and biodiversity.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in great spirits as they arrived in Nepal for their first visit to the Himalayan nation. The visit also marks young Nepali service personnel formally joining the British Army, and celebrates the long tradition of collaboration between the two nations. The royal pair will meet organisations providing healthcare services and support to survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence.

Edward and Sophie will meet young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, and women's rights activists and those campaigning for a more equal and inclusive society. Sophie is a champion of the UN's Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and in October, during a trip to Malta, took part in a discussion with members of Malta's police force and human rights directorate about supporting victims of human trafficking.

Buckingham Palace said: 'The visit will celebrate the close ties between the UK and Nepal, and reinforce shared interests including youth opportunity, healthcare, equality for women and girls, and conservation and biodiversity.'. However the Duke and Duchess are not the first royals to visit the Himalayan nation as the now King Charles visited Nepal in 1998. Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, travelled there in 1986. While they also visited Nepal in 1961.

It comes after Prince Edward appeared in great spirits as he spoke to players ahead of the final T20 international cricket match on Sunday. The royal, was all smiles as he arrived in India today for a three-day visit to celebrate the shared ties between the two countries, and to promote the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – set up by his late father Prince Philip in 1956. Sophie looked typically elegant in a satin floral dress which she paired with nude heels and a green and gold handbag.

Prince Edward and Sophie, both 60, arrived separately in the country on Tuesday, ready for a six-day trip to celebrate links to the UK. Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas Major General Strickland DSO MBE (left) alongside the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh meeting President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel (right). Prince Edward and Sophie meet President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel and his wife Sabita at the Presidential Palace in Maharajgunj, Kathamnadu, during their visit to Nepal.

The Duke spoke to Ram Chandra Paudel, at the Presidential Palace in Maharajgunj, Kathamnadu. The accolade is delivered in India as the International Award for Young People, a non-formal education and learning framework supporting young people to 'find their purpose, place and passion in the world'. During his first stop, Prince Edward beamed as he chatted to India's captain Suryakumar Yadav and England's captain Jos Buttle at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, ahead of the match between the two nations.

King Charles's younger brother was dressed to the nines in a dapper black suit jacket, which featured gold buttons. The Prince, who paired his smart look with a lavender shirt and contrasting grey trousers, appeared cheerful as he took pictures and greeted attendees at the press showing. The royal also posed up a storm with the Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India Harjinder Kang at the game.