Royal Visit to the Caribbean: St Vincent and The Grenadines

Day 4:

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines as they continued their Royal Visit to the Caribbean. The Prince and The Duchess were greeted by a Guard of Honour and welcome to the country by the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

His Royal Highness then travelled to Prospect Brighton Mangrove Park, the only remaining white mangrove and coastal forest on mainland St Vincent. The Prince was given a tour of the Mangroves and learned about the park’s programme of conservation work and education.

Meanwhile, Her Royal Highness visited St Vincent and The Grenadines Community College for a roundtable discussion on domestic violence. Participants included a survivor of domestic abuse and representations from organisations working to combat the issue. At the college The Duchess also met with female entrepreneurs.

His Royal Highness next visited the St Vincent and Grenadines Coastguard, meeting with young people who have recently completed the Youth Development Summer Programme.

Their Royal Highnesses joined together in Kingstown for a wreath laying ceremony at the city’s Cenotaph. The memorial commemorates soldiers from St Vincent and the Grenadines who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

The Prince and The Duchess continued the day with a tour of Kingstown Market where they met local vendors selling their fresh produce. The market is the largest of its kind on the island and brings in entrepreneurs from all over the country. During their tour Their Royal Highnesses met members of the public including local sports mascot Angus Evan, known as Sappy, who for almost 30 years has been entertaining crowds whenever a local cricket, netball or cricket team is playing. He said, "Charles said he liked my jersey and he liked my hat and the flag. He asked if I played football, I used to be a goalkeeper but I'm retired."

His Royal Highness then moved on to St George’s Cathedral to meet members of its congregation and view its historic stained glass window, while Her Royal Highness visited St Vincent Girls’ High School for an event to celebrate the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

The Prince of Wales next arrived at the Botanical Gardens where he was given a tour by the gardens’ curator and viewed the local wildlife. Before departing His Royal Highness planted a Soufriere Tree, the national flower of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Finally, The Prince and The Duchess joined the Governor General and the Prime Minister at a reception at the Prime Minister’s official residence. Guests included a wide cross-section of Vincentian society. Addressing those assembled, His Royal Highness said:

As we celebrate the Commonwealth's seventieth birthday this year, just behind mine, it seems to me that our Commonwealth family remains as vital today as it has ever been - bringing us together to address some of the most urgent challenges facing our world.”