England’s Prince Edward, known as the Duke of Edinburgh, made his presence felt last Thursday (Oct. 1) at George Washington’s Mount Vernon while celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
The royal visit to the first U.S. president’s former residence was in partnership with the British embassy to highlight not only America 250, but to raise awareness about the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award — a charity created to assist and encourage young people in achieving their goals.
Doug Bradburn, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, said the visit was important because Mount Vernon is a unique place and as an acknowledgment of the reconciliation between the U.S. and England.
“A visit of a foreign dignitary, particularly a member of the royal house of the United Kingdom, is a tremendous acknowledgment of the importance of this place to that relationship that we have, both in our history, going back to the birth of the nation, as well as the ongoing alliance and partnership the United States has with the United Kingdom,” Bradburn said. “As part of a diplomatic visit, it’s very symbolic and powerful to have those connections reaffirmed with another visit.”
Prince Edward’s first visit to George Washington’s plantation since 2001 consisted of seeing Mount Vernon’s recently opened education center, touring the mansion, visiting the history encampment and then laying a wreath on the former president’s tomb as a gesture of respect.
His tour ended at the George Washington Presidential Library, where he looked at items from Washington’s life, stories of the American War for Independence, and tasted some whiskey.
Sir Christian Turner, who accompanied the Duke as the current British ambassador to the U.S., said the visit gave them the opportunity to
think about Washington’s story.
“Washington’s example of principled leadership, that stepping away from public life when he stood down for the presidency, which probably now seems relatively uncontroversial, but then was really quite radical. That story is a really extraordinary one,” Turner said. “The Duke of
Edinburgh’s visit to Mount Vernon reminds us why that relationship is vital. It’s enduring. It’s consequential. We’re still family.”
Bradburn said the Duke’s visit highlights Mount Vernon’s importance as a place for both locals and visitors to learn about U.S. history.
“It reaffirms the stories we tell because they’re important to where we came from as a nation,” he said. “So, coming here and seeing his home and estate, learning about his life and his story, both as a soldier fighting for the English in the early life, but then, ultimately, as our commander- in-chief and first president, it’s an important part of tourists’ understanding of early America who come to the D.C. area.”
Bradburn noted that the Duke’s visit continues a long history of Mount Vernon welcoming members of the British royal family that goes back over 170 years. Past visiting dignitaries have included King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and King Charles III.
“This is a site that is sacred and important to Americans, going back to George Washington’s lifetime,” he said. “These visits really highlight our work and make us very proud that we’re part of a continuity as stewards of the great history of this country.”
Bradburn added that, with the U.S. still celebrating the 250th anniversary of its declaration of independence from England, people should
visit Mount Vernon because they can learn the stories of the founding era in an enjoyable environment.
“We have something for everybody. If you love history, if you love gardens, if you love animals, landscape, history, decorative arts, fine arts, historic architecture and preservation, this is a place for you,” Bradburn said.
The estate is also now in peak condition after undergoing a $40 million project to preserve George and Martha Washington’s mansion.
“In this celebratory year, this is exactly the right time to come to this place, which is really at the highest state of preservation right now it’s ever been at,” Bradburn said.
