The Earl and Countess of Wessex visit The Republic of Cyprus
Published
About the visit
Throughout their visit, The Earl and Countess of Wessex will celebrate the ties of friendship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, as fellow members of the Commonwealth. Their Royal Highnesses will also show their support for British Forces based on the island.
This is The Earl and Countess of Wessex's first official visit to The Republic of Cyprus.
Day One
On their first day in Cyprus, The Earl and Countess attended a reception, hosted by the British High Commission in Cyprus, to celebrate The Queen's birthday and the Platinum Jubilee.
Their Royal Highnesses met representatives from across the British Cypriot community.
Day Two
To start the second day of their visit, The Earl and Countess were received by the President and First Lady of The Republic of Cyprus.
Next, The Earl of Wessex presented Duke of Edinburgh International Awards to students from across Cyprus. His Royal Highness congratulated all the recipients on their achievement.
Meanwhile, The Countess of Wessex met Women, Peace and Security action groups at House for Cooperation in the Nicosia buffer zone. The Countess has long supported the UN’s WPS agenda, which aims to put more women at the centre of conflict resolution.
At the event, Her Royal Highness caught up with Magda and Emine, participants in the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth Network, who The Countess has met previously.
The Earl and Countess then rejoined as they visited British Peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, also known as the Blue Berets, at Ledra Palace.
Next, The Earl and Countess visited Dhekelia Station, a British Sovereign Base Area that is home to over 1,500 British citizens.
The Countess met military families at the Early Years Centre and heard about life at Dhekelia, while The Earl spent some time with soldiers on the ranges, speaking to them about their techniques.
Day Three
On the final day of their visit to Cyprus, The Earl of Wessex started the day at Kourion, where they were shown mosaics and an ancient theatre.
Their Royal Highnesses then visited RAF Akrotiri Families Club and Bowl Centre, where they welcomed by Wing Commander James Schofield and a Cadet Guard of Honour.
They went on a tour of the site and met members of the community including personnel from 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, the Covid19 testing team, the Akrotiri Early Years and School and personnel from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Next, The Earl and Countess travelled to Scorpion Dispersal and met representatives from different units.
Their visit to Cyprus finished at M1 police station, where they saw the work they do.
