Prince, duchess to visit next month

Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, would make an official visit to South Africa next month “at the personal invitation of President Zuma”, the British high commissioner to South Africa, Nicola Brewer, announced on Thursday.

However, Zuma would be unable to receive them personally as he would be attending the G20 summit in France. He had asked Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to meet them, other officials said.

Brewer said Charles would first visit Kuwait and Qatar alone to discuss economic relations. The couple would visit Tanzania together after South Africa.

The tour of South Africa and Tanzania would focus on trade and investment promotion to support Britain’s economic recovery; employment opportunities; education and practical support for disadvantaged young people; sustainability issues in the run-up to the Durban Climate Summit later in November; and shared heritage and conservation of traditional livelihoods and wildlife.

The visit to Tanzania would also celebrate the 50th anniversary of that country’s independence. - Foreign Editor