[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s previously announced HRH Prince Harry will undertake an official visit to the Caribbean, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen in November and December 2016, on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of Independence in Antigua and Barbuda, and the 50th Anniversary of Independence in Barbados and Guyana. His Royal Highness will carry out 14 days of official engagements in Her Majesty’s Realms where The Queen is Sovereign, and Guyana – a member of the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry will visit seven countries including the Realms of Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Barbados, as well as visiting Guyana on behalf of the Foreign Office.
The visit will begin on Sunday 20th November and end on Sunday 4th December. This will be Prince Harry’s second official visit to the Caribbean following his first tour to the region in 2012 when HRH represented Her Majesty during the Diamond Jubilee.
A Kensington Palace Spokesperson said:
“Prince Harry is honoured to be representing The Queen, in the year of her 90th birthday, particularly as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana mark their own important anniversaries of independence.
“Prince Harry holds special memories of his last visit to the Caribbean, and of the warmth, friendliness and sense of fun that comes so naturally to this region. His Royal Highness is greatly looking forward to meeting more of the people who call it home, and for the opportunity during this tour to be visiting some countries for the first time.
“This visit will allow Prince Harry to experience more of the unique and individual cultures and traditions of these special Commonwealth Realms and countries. His Royal Highness is grateful to have the chance to visit nations that play such important roles in the Commonwealth, and have extended such warmth to his family for many years.”
The Royal tour will begin in Antigua and Barbuda, which is one of three countries Prince Harry will visit that is marking a significant independence anniversary in 2016. His Royal Highness will then undertake a number of day trips to nearby countries including St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. There, Prince Harry will take the opportunity to learn more about local projects and initiatives, including those focusing on conservation, youth empowerment, and sport for social development.
It will continue in Barbados, which is celebrating its 50th year of Independence. Prince Harry is looking forward to joining the many thousands of Barbadians who will be celebrating this occasion. His Royal Highness will also visit a number of charities and organisations in Barbados which carry out important work to address social issues that affect the region.
Prince Harry will complete the visit in Guyana, which also celebrated its 50th year of Independence in 2016. His Royal Highness will take in some of the natural sights of the Hinterland, as well as witnessing how eco-tourism and a focus on conservation have changed the lives of the people in this area.
On Her Majesty’s behalf, Prince Harry will unveil a number of dedications to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a forestry project which invites Commonwealth countries to dedicate indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity for future generations. The first dedication was unveiled by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia on their recent tour to Canada.
Prince Harry will visit St Lucia from Thursday, November 24 to Friday, November 25. He is scheduled to leave St Lucia for St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday, November 26. Prince Harry is also expected to visit Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Barbados and Guyana.
