Prince Harry to visit Brazil

Prince Harry will visit Brazil in March after celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the people of Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas, St James’s Palace said.

The visit... is designed to enhance the partnership between the United Kingdom and Brazil

Prince Harry’s visit is the first of many foreign tours the Royal Family will make this year to mark the Queen’s 60-year reign.

The royal will tour Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica from March 2 to 8 while the Brazil trip, from March 9 to 11, is an additional leg announced yesterday and separate from the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The prince is travelling to the South American country in support of the UK government and his charities, said St James’s Palace. Earlier this month Jamaica’s new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller vowed to abandon the Queen as head of state and adopt a republican form of government.

The itinerary for the foreign visits has not been released but Harry is almost certain to meet Mrs Simpson Miller at some point during his tour.

Prince Harry’s Diamond Jubilee tour is his first official trip on behalf of the Queen. He has not visited the countries on his itinerary before, either officially or privately.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, on an official visit to Brazil, said the Prince would attend the launch of the Great campaign in Rio de Janeiro.

The initiative aims to promote the UK abroad on the back of London 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee.

Speaking earlier alongside Sergio Cabral, Governor of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Hague said: “Brazil and the UK have much in common, with a shared history and close cultural bonds.

“We are committed to strengthening our political, cultural and economic ties, and it is with this in mind that I am visiting Brazil – my first South American trip as Foreign Secretary.

“I am now pleased to announce that His Royal Highness, Prince Harry, will also soon be here, and will attend the Great campaign launch event in March.

“We hope, through this renewed and continued engagement with Brazil, to show that we in the UK are open for business with the rest of the world and determined to build our relationships.”

The first leg of Prince Harry’s Diamond Jubilee visit will take him to Belize on March 2 and 3, and see him visit the nation’s Cayo District, which includes the capital Belmopan, and other parts of the country.

Next is a trip to New Providence Island, from March 3-5, the most populous island in The Bahamas and finally Jamaica, from March 5-8, with visits to the capital Kingston and Falmouth, close to Montego Bay.

In Brazil, the Prince will visit Rio and the state of Sao Paolo and at the end of the tour will stay on privately for a further three days until March 14.

Speaking about the South American leg, St James’s Palace said in a statement: “The visit, organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is designed to enhance the partnership between the United Kingdom and Brazil”.