Prince of Wales honours Cuba’s national hero
The Prince of Wales has honoured Cuba’s national hero Jose Marti at the start of his historic visit to the Communist state.
Charles stood in silent contemplation as a large wreath of roses was laid at the open-air monument to the famous essayist and poet in Havana’s Revolution Square.
Fidel Castro, Cuba’s former Communist ruler, would address the people close to where the prince stood before the ceremony began, giving speeches at important moments.
Surrounded by imposing ministry buildings, the heir to the throne, whose wife Camilla was nearby, walked behind two soldiers who held aloft the large floral tribute made of roses and then laid it at the stone monument.
The heir to the throne touched it briefly before taking a few steps back and pausing to look at the wreath.
The British Embassy in Havana has described the royal visit to Cuba as “a historic moment”.
It tweeted: “Everything is ready for today when TRHs The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive in #Cuba for the first official #RoyalVisitCuba.
“A historic moment for both countries.”
Charles’s visit offers an opportunity for the UK and Cuban governments to forge closer ties in the wake of the soft diplomacy employed by members of the monarchy, who use it to make friends and build bridges during foreign tours.
A spokesman for the couple, who arrived in the ministerial jet RAF Voyager, said: “Their Royal Highnesses are looking forward to experiencing the culture and meeting the people of Cuba.”
There was another milestone as it is believed to be the first time an RAF plane has landed in Communist Cuba, which had very close ties with Russia during the Cold War.
