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| The Earl??and Countess of Wessex admire an exhibit honouring National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers. (A. Cumberbatch/BGIS) |
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were able to get a picture of moments in Barbados’ history and learn about some of this nation’s finest citizens during a tour of the Museum and National Heroes Gallery at Parliament today.
Following the addresses in the Senate, The Royal Couple listened with rapt attention as Facilities Coordinator David Best, explained the significance of each exhibit. They showed keen interest in the displays, especially the life and history of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, Sarah-ann Gill and Clement Payne, and the metallic sculpture by Dr. Lance Bannister, among others.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were especially captivated by a video documentary of the life and times of Barbados’ only living national hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, and his knighthood by Her Majesty, The Queen, in 1977 at the Garrison Historic Area.
They were accompanied on the tour by Acting Governor General Elliot Belgrave and Mrs. Belgrave; Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Kerryann Ifill; the Speaker of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington, Clerk of Parliament, Pedro Eastmond and Cabinet Secretary, Keith Franklin, among others.
Tomorrow’s leg of the State Visit will see the Royal Couple visiting a number of facilities. During the morning, at 10:25, the Countess will visit the Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre, while at 10:40 a.m., The Earl will present eight young Barbadians with Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at Government House. ????
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Immediately following, at 11:40 a.m., they will attend a ceremony in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee at the historic Kensington Oval, where the Earl will unveil a plaque. National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, OCC, will also be in attendance. The Royal Couple will also meet and be entertained by students from select schools.
At 12:13 p.m., the Prime Minister will host Their Royal Highnesses at a lunch at Ilaro Court. Later that afternoon at 2:17 p.m., the Earl and Countess will visit the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum and the Mikvah (spiritual bath) in Bridgetown.
Following this, at 2:50 p.m., the Royal Party will tour the Prince Cave Hall, home of the renowned Royal Barbados Police Force Band.
The curtain will come down at 6:30 p.m., when the royal party will host a reception before departing Barbados for St Vincent and the Grenadines.