On their first major
official trip together
THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX
VISIT MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex made their first
major official foreign trip together last week, visiting Malaysia and Brunei on
a seven-day swing packed with royal, cultural and business events. Sophie
impressed onlookers with her ability to blend informality with regal poise. The
trip was well suited to the entrepreneurial young royals, who both run their
own companies and have a keen appreciation of the business side of
life.
Wearing a selection of chic and pretty outfits, Sophie was clearly
proving a great asset to Edward as he carried out a programme designed to
encourage business co-operation between Malaysia and Britain. After their
arrival in Kuala Lumpur, the couple visited the British Malaysian Institute,
where Edward opened the Rolls Royce multimedia laboratory and the Standard
Chartered Bank computer laboratory.
Afterwards, he and Sophie met with
Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir for half an houir and had tea with him.
They then went on to the British High Commission, where they viewed traditional
games and crafts. Sophie visited the 452-metre (1,483 ft) Petronas Twin Towers,
the highest buildings in the world.
Dressed in a powder blue coat
dress, she appeared completely unfazed by the dizzying drop beneath her. After
a few more engagements in Malaysia, including an audience with Their Majesties
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Eduard and Sophie
headed for Brunei, where they were greeted by HRH Princess Hjh
Masna.
One of the highlights of the trip was undoubtedly a foray into
rainforest country. Donning casual clothes and sturdy footwear, the two visited
the Temburong National Park, where they met with Operation Raleigh volunteers
who’ve been repairing a suspension bridge. He and Sophie crossed the
suspension bridge and went out on the river in canoes before starting the long
haul back to Britain. |
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PR
specialist Sophie won hearts in
Malaysia, just as she did in Canada
this
summer, with her blend of approachability
and poise. She was also
praised for her
chic selection of discreet but pretty outfits
Edward and Sophie crossed a
suspension
bridge at the Temburong
National Park that is being repaired by
Operation Raleigh volunteers
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The couple’s
four-day stay in Malaysia
got off to a colourful start with a woak
down
an avenue lined with ladies in
traditional costume waving
multi-coloured
tinsel palm trees. Tasteful! |
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