His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Henry of Wales during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2010. (FP)


His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Henry of Wales will pay an official three-day visit to Barbados from Tuesday, November 29, to Thursday, December 1, as part of celebrations to mark this island’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

Affectionately known as Prince Harry, His Royal Highness will arrive early in the morning on Tuesday, November 29, at the Bridgetown Port, where he will be treated to a red carpet welcome.

He will be met by Governor General, Sir Elliott Belgrave; Prime Minister Freundel Stuart; Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Colonel Alvin Quintyne; and Acting Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, and accorded a Royal Salute by a Guard of Honour.

After the ceremony, Prince Harry will pay a courtesy call on Sir Elliott at Government House, where he will present a number of Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards, and chat with awardees and members of their families.

HRH will then call on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at his official residence Ilaro Court before returning to Government House for a lunch in his honour.

In the afternoon, Prince Harry will officially open two recently-renovated buildings at the Nightengale Children’s Home in Black Rock, St. Michael, and tour the facilities.

Following that, he will observe children at the home engaged in a match of road tennis. It is expected that a number of senior Barbados road tennis players will be on hand to demonstrate their skills.

HRH will conclude his first night in Barbados by attending the Reveal of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Monument ceremony at the Garrison Savannah, where he will place the gnomon on the sundial in the Monument.

Another celebratory moment will come when the 32-year-old Prince reviews the troops on Independence Day, Wednesday, November 30, at the Garrison Savannah.  He will then join Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at St. Ann’s Fort in the Officers’ Mess for The Toast to the Nation.

An added highlight of his visit will come in the evening when Prince Harry attends the Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert at Kensington Oval. At that event, he will be treated to live performances representing the finest in local entertainment.

During the final leg of his official visit, on Thursday, December 1, World AIDS Day, Prince Harry will be the special guest at the National HIV/AIDS Commission’s ‘Man Aware’ event in the morning at Heroes Square, The City. He will listen to the behaviour change and communication messages and chat with participants.

Later that morning, HRH will journey to the countryside, as he tours the Nature Fun Ranch in St. Andrew, and speaks to young people involved in the LIVE UP programme, members of the Prince’s trust and recipients of the Queen’s Youth Awards about their work at the ranch and how it has changed their lives.

Afterwards, the Prince, himself a former military officer, will visit the Barbados Defence Force’s Paragon Base to learn about the Regional Security System’s operations, particularly in relation to drug interdiction. He will also take the opportunity to speak with members of its air wing and have a ‘pep talk’ with recruits stationed at the base.

His Royal Highness will bid Barbados farewell on the morning of Friday, December 2, when he departs the Grantley Adams International Airport on his way to Guyana.

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