Prince Charles and Camilla to visit Cyprus in March

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be flying over to Cyprus for their first joint official visit, to take place from March 18 until March 21, the British High Commission announced on Tuesday.

The first Royal visit outside of the British bases since the 1993, when Queen Elizabeth visited the island for the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting, has been organized in the framework of Cyprus’ 60^th anniversary since gaining independence from Britain in 1960.

British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie said: “I am delighted that Their Royal Highnesses have decided to visit Cyprus and look forward to welcoming them here. This is the most important visit from the UK to Cyprus since HM The Queen in 1993.  Sixty years after Cyprus’ independence, it is a testament to the close and enduring bonds of friendship between our two countries and peoples, and to a relationship which goes from strength to strength. The visit will also be an opportunity to highlight the important Commonwealth bond that exists between all Cypriots and the UK, evident in many of our shared values and institutions”.

The programme will celebrate the historic ties between Cyprus and UK, shared membership of the Commonwealth, and the forward-looking modern relationship between the countries in areas such as education and science, the British High Commission said.

“This visit will also recognise the UK’s role as the largest troop contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus,” it added.

Charles and Camilla are scheduled to tour around Nicosia and Larnaca, as well as across the rural landscapes of Troodos, to celebrate Cyprus’ unique heritage, culture, food, and crafts.

The Royal couple’s tour will also include a visit to the Sovereign Base areas, to meet military personnel and their families stationed there.

According to the British High Commission, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will also visit the UN Buffer Zone, where they will be presented with the work undertaken by the UN.

Charles is also set to attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which will gather representatives from across the Commonwealth in Larnaca and engage with religious leaders.

The Duchess of Cornwall, as Patron of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, will visit a partner organisation which has recently participated in the charity’s Battersea Home Academy to see how the organisation is implementing its learning in Cyprus. She will also continue her work to highlight the issue of domestic violence and rape around the world and engage with organisations working to support survivors, the High Commission said.

The royal couple will depart on March 21 for an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.