His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, made a special visit to the British Embassy in Washington DC on April 22nd, 2023, to commemorate Earth Day.
During his visit, he planted a Japanese cherry tree just outside the embassy gates, joining a collection of trees that have been planted by three generations of the royal family.
The tree stands proudly next to the statue of Winston Churchill, symbolizing the strong bond between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Prince Edward’s visit to the embassy served a dual purpose.
Not only was it a celebration of Earth Day, but it was also an opportunity to address Prince Harry’s diplomatic immunity status.
This move comes as King Charles implements his plan to streamline the monarchy.
Under the King’s order, Duke Edward worked closely with the British embassy in the US to revoke Harry’s diplomatic immunity.
Although the exact details of how Harry remained in the US without permanent citizenship are unknown, it is speculated that his royal status granted him an A1 visa, typically reserved for diplomats and government officials.
This visa would provide him with diplomatic protection, meaning that if Meghan Markle were to initiate divorce proceedings, they would be suspended by the US State Department.
However, with Harry’s immunity set to be removed, Meghan will have an easier path to pursue a divorce, as diplomatic immunity does not apply in such cases.
The British Embassy in the US will collaborate with the US State Department to ensure a smooth transition for Harry’s diplomatic status.
The ambassador, responsible for the direction and work of the embassy and its consulates, plays a vital role in representing UK policies to the American government and people.
They also report and explain American policies to the UK government in London, while supporting UK interests and maintaining press and cultural relations, as well as providing consular services.
As King Charles’s coronation approaches, Prince Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, would have been one of six senior male members of the royal family to participate in the traditional ceremony.
However, recent reports suggest that only the Prince of Wales will carry out this role, leaving Prince Harry without an official role if he attends.
Breaking with tradition, King Charles has decided to scrap the practice of royal dukes kneeling and paying homage to the monarch, with only Prince William set to perform this duty.
In other news, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, inaugurated the Viva Theatre in Soham during a royal visit to East Cambridgeshire on April 12th.
The theatre, established in 1997 by Soham resident Daniel Schuman, started as a small youth theatre run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Its first production of Bugsy Malone was a resounding success, attracting an audience of 400 at Beechhurst Hall, Soham Village College.
With growing popularity, Viva expanded its scope and undertook more ambitious productions, performing in various venues throughout East Cambridgeshire, including Ely Cathedral, the ADC Theatre, and local schools and halls.
The Viva Theatre itself holds historical significance, originally being a mill.
In 2018, Viva purchased the derelict mill and raised over £3 million in funding to renovate and revive it for the community.
Now, after several postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, His Royal Highness Prince Edward officially opened the Viva Theatre, bringing joy and excitement to the people of Soham.
Prince Edward’s visit to the British Embassy in Washington DC and the opening of the Viva Theatre in Soham highlight his commitment to environmental causes and support for the arts.
As a member of the royal family, he continues to engage with communities, both locally and internationally, leaving a positive impact wherever he goes.