Official royal portrait
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 1, as part of a visit to the United States marking America’s 250th anniversary. He will be accompanied by British Ambassador to the United States Sir Christian Turner.
The current duke is Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He took on his title in 2023, on his 59th birthday when it was officially conferred by his brother, King Charles III.
Some fun facts about the current Duke:
• He was the first baby in modern royal history to have his father, Prince Philip, present in the delivery room.
• Before focusing on royal duties, he worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company, helping on productions like The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.
• Unlike many senior royals, he has been spotted riding the London Underground and maintains a relatively low profile in public.
• His go-to comfort food is a "Balmoral butty"—a thick bacon sandwich typically eaten at breakfast.
He is married to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; the couple have two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex.
Also read: From Buckingham to Blue Ridge: King Charles Drops In on Front Royal
The Duke will visit Mount Vernon’s new Education Center, the Mansion, a Revolutionary War encampment and the Washington Library. He also will meet historical experts and lay a wreath at George Washington’s Tomb.
Photo courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Then-Prince Charles and then-Duchess of Cornwall visit Mount Vernon March 18, 2015.
The visit will be a return to Mount Vernon for The Duke of Edinburgh, who previously visited the estate in 2001 as the Earl of Wessex. Mount Vernon has welcomed generations of the British royal family, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939; Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1951 and 1991; and King Charles III, who visited as Prince of Wales with Princess Anne in 1970 and returned with Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2015.
“Mount Vernon is honored to welcome His Royal Highness back to Mount Vernon at such an important moment in American history,” said Doug Bradburn, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “British royal visits to Washington’s home date to 1860, when the future King Edward VII came to pay his respects. Generations of royal visitors have followed. That tradition speaks to the significance of Mount Vernon as a place where people come to reflect on America’s founding and to the depth of the relationship our two nations have built since independence. As we mark America’s 250th anniversary, The Duke’s visit offers another opportunity to consider that history and the ties that endure today.”
Mount Vernon will remain open to the public on Oct. 1.
