On their last full day in Cuba, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall carried out a number of engagements before travelling to the Cayman Islands – the last stop on their Caribbean tour.
The day began at a private paladar, or restaurant, where Charles and Camilla met chefs and representatives of the Cuban Culinary Association and tried samples of Cuban foods.
Prince Charles helped out at the bar, muddling sugar cane into a juice, and quipped that rum should be added to the drink. The Duchess of Cornwall said that she would send her cookbook author son, Tom Parker Bowles, to Cuba so he could write about the cuisine.
Before they left, the Prince and Duchess were given a lesson on how to make mojitos by Diana Figueroa, the bar manager at Jibaro.
“They were good students. They did everything I said,” Figueroa told The Sun afterwards.
Prince Charles helped muddle the mint and mix the cocktail, while Camilla asked for the recipe.
“They were so happy,” Figueroa continued, “They said they had not tried mojito since they had been in Cuba.”
Paladars are becoming more common in Cuba as they allow those who own the homes or the residential buildings to create a menu of uniquely made Cuban cuisines to offer tourists.
The Prince of Wales then paid a visit to the Centre of Molecular Immunology to discuss biotechnology and integrated medicine in Cuba, and to meet with medical researchers who are partnering with UK medical centres like the UCL, the Cancer Research Institute of Glasgow, and the University of Manchester.
Prince Charles met with cancer patients and staff members during his visit and met with Dr Eduardo Martínez Díaz, the Centre’s Director, and Dr Luis Hinojosa, its Business Director.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to the National Equestrian Centre to see horse training, rider exercises, an equine therapy session with children with autism, a Farrier’s workshop, and met with members of the teenage team.
Camilla was told of a youngster working with equine therapy who was unable to walk before she began her lessons, but is now able to do so; and said that she would like to ride a horse, “But I don’t think I’m dressed for the occasion.”
Prince Charles then met with musicians and artists to discuss the January 2019 tornado that wrought destruction in Havana, and how they responded to the crisis.
In their final engagement in Cuba, Prince Charles and Camilla attended a reception at the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, with guests including the Ambassador to Cuba, Dr Anthony Stokes, government officials, and business representatives.
Prince Charles viewed artefacts at a museum on the Palacio’s first floor, including the UK flag that was sent to Cuba in recognition of its independence while Camilla met with essay winners of the “Bridges Between Cuba and the UK” contest.
Their Royal Highnesses then departed for the Cayman Islands, where upon arrival, they officially opened the new terminal at the Owen Roberts International Airport.
There to greet the royal couple were the Governor, Martyn Roper; the Deputy Premier, Moses Kirkconnell; and local dignitaries including politicians and airport personnel. Prince Charles inspected a Police Honour Guard and received the Royal Salute before the couple walked through the terminal and met with members of the public.
After arriving at Government House, Prince Charles met with the Premier, Alden McLaughlin, and the Governor.
Thursday marks the last day of the royal couple’s Caribbean tour, with engagements on the Cayman Islands.
