Hot Like Pepper - Charles and Camilla drop in - Health & Lifestyle

Health & Lifestyle : Charles and Camilla drop in

2008/3/3 14:35:41

His son, Prince Harry is at the centre of a controversy over media reports on his service in the Afghanistan conflict, but Prince Charles is heading to Trinidad and Tobago. The Prince and his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, are spending three days in the country on the first leg of fleeting stopovers to other Caribbean islands.

The visit is largely ceremonial and is the first to this country by British royals in several years, indicating the current political dynamics.

The royal duo is flying into Tobago, but for the rest of their Caribbean sojourn they would use a stunningly modern and elaborate yacht, which cruised into the Scarborough port Saturday.

On Tuesday, Prince Charles and the Duchess are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Max Richards and his wife, Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards. They would then call on Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Hazel.

On Wednesday, the royal couple is due to meet children involved in cricket sponsored by the British Council. Their schedule for Thursday includes a visit to the four-acre site in Tobago earmarked for a marine centre. The prince is scheduled to unveil building plans for the project.

The visit is devoid of major official activities and is considered a toned-down affair, which would not require the attendance of many national office-holders or traffic restrictions and other regalia this post-colonial society attaches to visits of important personalities.

An official of the British High Commission in Port of Spain said Prince Charles has a passion for the environment and that his schedule would include an applicable theme.

Just a few days ago, the red carpet and an exciting show of pomp and diplomacy were laid out for Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson, on a one-day official visit. There was even a major state banquet.

The most recent royal visit that attracted pageantry and spectacle was back in 1989, when Queen Elizabeth 11 spent a couple days on the islands.

Prince Charles left London at a time when his son Prince Harry was pulled from combat duties in Afghanistan after his whereabouts were revealed by the media.

The Australian magazine New Idea was the first media unit to breach a news embargo on the prince’s posting. A German newspaper and the US-based Drudge Report then also unveiled details of the prince’s activities.Prince Harry had seen action for 10 weeks. Prince Charles has not commented publicly on the issue. The relevant media houses have faced international denunciation.