President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was granted an audience with His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Thursday, as part of his ongoing official visit to the United Kingdom. The meeting reflected the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the Maldives and the UK, coming just days before the 60th anniversary of formal ties established in July 1965.
During the audience, the President and the King discussed ways to further enhance the partnership between the two nations. The symbolic setting of Windsor Castle provided a meaningful backdrop for the exchange, taking place at a time of expanding cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, education, and sustainable development.
During the visit President Muizzu also met with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in London. The meeting focused on key areas of mutual interest, with both parties reaffirming their willingness to deepen collaboration.
President Muizzu highlighted the Maldives’ leadership among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in advocating for shared priorities on multilateral platforms and outlined his administration’s vision to attain developed country status by 2040. He stressed the importance of continued engagement with the Commonwealth to help realise this goal.
The discussion also covered trade and investment, the sustainable development of fisheries and tourism, and democratic governance, all areas where the Commonwealth could provide meaningful support.
These engagements follow earlier meetings during the visit with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and members of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Maldives. As the anniversary of diplomatic relations approaches, the Maldives is taking steps to broaden its traditional ties with the UK into new and forward-looking areas of cooperation.
