The Earl and Countess of Wessex have arrived in St. Lucia for a week long Caribbean tour marking the Platinum Jubilee.
Edward and Sophie were all smiles as they arrived on the island on April 22nd 2022. The couple were welcomed at the airport by the Deputy Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr Ernest Hilaire, as well as the aide-de-camp to the governor general, Captain Cyril Saltibus.
The Earl and Countess were given a guard of honour on their arrival while the band of the St. Lucia police force played the country’s national anthem.
(Radio News Hub still/ fair use)
Later, they were given an official welcome by the Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, at his residence. They exchanged gifts with Edward and Sophie presenting their host with a Jubilee box and a photo of themselves. Mr. Pierre handed over a painting of one of the island’s famous turtles. It had been kept safe in a long, black tube and Prince Edward asked with a smile whether it was a fishing rod before showing off the picture.
They were also welcomed to Government House by the acting Governor-General of St. Lucia, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and his wife, Anysia.
The couple’s arrival went smoothly but the final preparations for their tour were overshadowed by questions over last minute changes.
Just days before their visits got under way, it was announced that a planned stopover in Grenada wouldn’t go ahead. Buckingham Palace didn’t give a reason for the change, confirming that it had come about after consultation with the government of Grenada.
The latest Platinum Jubilee tour will see Edward and Sophie visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda as well as St. Lucia. They are set to meet ”communities, local entrepreneurs and craftspeople, and young people” through their seven days in the Caribbean.
