BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 21, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) –Arriving on board the Royal Air Force, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall received a very warm welcome today, Thursday, March 21 when they touched down at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts and Nevis, as part of Their Royal Highnesses’ visit to six countries and one Overseas Territory.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted upon their arrival at the airport by Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, His Excellency the Governor General, Sir S.W Tapley Seaton and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
The welcome reception for the Royal couple featured a Guard of Honour comprising the armed forces of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, the Coast Guard Unit and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. His Royal Highness then inspected the armed forces.
The Honourable Prime Minister then introduced The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the members of his Team Unity Cabinet, and other delegates including St. Kitts and Nevis’ only living National Hero, Dr. the Right Excellent and the Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
After departing the reception at the RLB Airport, their Royal Highnesses took a brief walk through the capital city of Basseterre, where they visited the popular Berkeley Memorial in the center of the Circus. The Berkeley Memorial was built in honour of Thomas Berkeley who was born in St. Kitts in 1824. He was planter, a legislator and President of the General Legislative Council of the Leeward Islands Federation. He was recognized for demonstrating concern for the welfare of the island’s people and for his contributions to its improvement.
From there, the Royal couple journeyed to the National Museum on the Bay Road where they were briefed on some of the historical facts of St. Kitts and Nevis. The National Museum is housed in the Old Treasury Building which is celebrating 125 years since it was built.
This was then followed by a trip to the sister island of Nevis.
While in St. Kitts and Nevis, The Prince and The Duchess are expected to tour the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where The Royal Highnesses will learn more about the history of the Fortress, the restoration work that has been undertaken there, and attend a showcase of local culture, dance and music. Their Royal Highnesses will also attend receptions on both islands for members of the community which will feature local music and culture.
St. Kitts and Nevis is the fourth stop of Their Royal Highnesses tour, which, according to the communique from Clarence House, is being done in celebration of the Monarchy’s relationship with the Commonwealth Realms.
The next stop on the Royal tour will be in Grenada on the March 23, then a visit to Cuba on March 24 before culminating with a visit to the Cayman Islands on March 27.
The Prince of Wales greeting St. Kitts and Nevis’ only living National Hero, Dr. the Right Excellent and the Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
