During a six-day visit to Nepal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have opened up some more about their 25-year-long marriage and the secret to lasting love.

During a visit to a botanical garden, while hand-in-hand, the pair were exchanging jokes and when asked what their secret is to their happy marriage, Edward said ‘Because we’re best friends.’ Sophie then added, ‘That’s true.” Another tip according to the couple is their shared sense of humour.

“There’s always got to be humour. Especially when you’re travelling, and you’ve got no idea what’s about to happen. You’ve got to laugh,” said Duchess Sophie.

This visit has seen them focus on key issues: for Prince Edward, connecting with youth who participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Meanwhile, the Duchess spent time speaking with survivors of gender-based violence, trafficking, and sexual exploitation.

Sophie said“Women often are excluded or at the bad end of the deal. Unfortunately, women are affected the most when there are difficult issues to deal with. So whether it be conflict, you know, we’re starting to see the effects.”

The duo planted a magnolia tree metres away from two planted by Prince Edward’s parents when they visited in 1986. The Duke, remarking how it’s fascinating to ‘Follow in a long trail of family visits (to Nepal.)’ Upon seeing the trees planted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Sophie said: “Well the first thing we always check is that the trees are doing really well. We’ve got a bit of a competition between the two of us as to, if we plant a tree, whose then does better over the years.”

The Duke added: “It just reminds you that there has been numerous visits and each of them seemingly remembered very fondly.”

In addition to the garden visit and speaking with members of the community, Sophie and Edward have also visited hospitals and a care home for Gurkha veterans while abroad.