KINGSTON, Jamaica – A day after Queen Elizabeth began celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of her reign, the third in line to the throne is to visit three of her realms in the Caribbean, the office of the Jamaican prime minister announced today .
Prince Harry, the younger brother of Prince William, whose father, Prince Charles is heir to the throne, is to visit the Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica as other members of the Royal Family fan out to 15 Commonwealth realms to represent the Queen as part of international celebrations commemorating her Diamond Jubilee.
The Prime Minister’s Office said it viewed the prince’s visit as being “of value to Jamaica”, highlighting tourism developments on the north coast and Falmouth, the capital of the northwestern parish of Trelawny, where a 180-million-US-dollar cruise port opened last year.
The visit will also show “important work” in the area of Jamaica’s youth and children, the statement added.
During his March 5-8 visit, Prince Harry, a captain in the Royal Air Force, is to join fellow officers at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Up Park Camp for military exercises, and co-pilot a JDF helicopter to Trelawny.
In Falmouth, the Prince will stop at the William Knibb Baptist Church to pay respects at a memorial to free Jamaicans in honour of the English emancipator and Baptist minister, William Knibb.
Prince Harry will later be treated to a showcase of Jamaican culture and cuisine at a reception at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel in Montego Bay, the government statement said.
While in Kingston, the prince is expect to tour the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, then visit the University of the West Indies at Monday to watch a training session at the Usain Bolt Track and attend a moot debate by law students.
Also in the Jamaican capital, he will visit an inner-city charity, RISE Life, the government said.
The Queen’s representative in Jamaica, Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen will host a dinner at King’s House in honour of Prince Harry, at which the prince is expected to deliver a speech honouring Jamaica’s 50th anniversary as an independent nation, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. (CMC)
