Prince Charles and Camilla to make history with first royal visit to Cuba

Cuba to Welcome UK Highnesses

HAVANA, Feb. 5th The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will become the first members of the Royal Family to make an official visit to Cuba, the Duchess has confirmed, as she admits she is feeling a little apprehensive about the food.

The Duchess told Baroness Hale, the president of the Supreme Court, that she was “very much looking forward” to the trip, which had not yet been confirmed as official by Clarence House.

The royal couple will become the first to visit Cuba later this spring, in what will be hailed as a groundbreaking trip to the  country.

The Prince and Duchess yesterday visited the Supreme Court  to mark the 10th anniversary of its founding, talking to its judges on matters official and making small talk.

Baroness Hale, the president of the Supreme Court, spoke to the Duchess about the Caribbean as she and Prince Charles toured the courtroom where the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sits.

Lady Hale said: “They are going to visit the Caribbean. They are not only going to the Anglo Caribbean, they are going to Cuba as well. She is very much looking forward to going to Cuba. It will be quite an event for members of the royal family to visit Cuba.

“She said she loved the music and was interested in the architecture. And she did make a remark about she wasn’t so sure about the food.”

The tour to Cuba has been rumoured for some time, after the court circular of November 14 noted: “The President of the Republic of Cuba called upon The Prince of Wales at Clarence House.”

Barack Obama became the first US president to visit Cuba in 2016, but no British prime minister has been in an official capacity.

Royal visits to other countries by the Prince of Wales have enjoyed elevated status since the Queen put a stop to her overseas trips in her 90s.

Every tour is undertaken at the request of the Foreign Office, with members of the Royal Family generally seen to exercise the “soft power” and diplomacy that politicians cannot conjure.

Trips by the Prince and Duchess have recently seen a heavy focus on their passions including environmental issues, sustainable food production, religious tolerance and children’s literacy.

 (www.telegraph.co.uk)