H.R.H. The Duke Of York Arrives Today

The British Virgin Islands is the first stop for His Royal Highness The Duke of York as he begins a March 10th-20th tour of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. HRH Prince Andrew is scheduled to arrive at the Beef Island International Airport today (Friday) 5:30 p.m. on board BA 146 of the Queen's Flight. He will be accompanied by Miss Charlotte Manley, Comptroller and Deputy Private Secretary; Major Lance Gerrard-Wright, Equerry; Chief Inspector John Askew, Personal Protection Officer; and Mr. Andrew Hitchman, Valet to HRH. While this is not his first visit to the Caribbean, this will be his first to the BVI. He will be coming off a two day official visit to New York and from here, he will go on to Montserrat, Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands.

It is considered to be very important for members of the Royal family to visit and become familiar with the Dependencies, according to BVI Governor His Excellency Frank Savage. "They are extremely influential in the United Kingdom, they have the ear of Ministers, their views are important...I believe he has got a keen interest in the Caribbean and I would like to think that this is the start of a long and fruitful relationship between His Royal Highness and the British Virgin Islands," he told Reporters during a press conference last Friday afternoon. His Excellency noted that, according to the White Paper, we are forging a new partnership and it's important that prominent British officials have an appreciation for the Overseas Territories.

Prince Andrew, 40, is the second son and third child of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. The Governor told the press that according to protocol, there has had to be no money spent just to beautify for the visit. "That gives all the wrong impressions; we want HRH to see the BVI as it is. There will be a ceremonial guard of honour to greet His Royal Highness The Duke of York on his arrival. He will be met by His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Frank Savage, Chief Minister the Honourable and Mrs. Ralph O'Neal, Ministers of Government, Deputy Governor Elton Georges, Commissioner of Police Vernon Malone and Director of Civil Aviation Milton Creque. The Duke will then proceed to the Airport Development site where he will lay a foundation stone for the new terminal building. The public is invited to attend. Chief Minister O'Neal will give welcoming remarks.

On Saturday March 11th, his programme starts at 9 a.m. with a visit to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. There, he will meet the Board of Directors, faculty, staff and students, tour the facilities, the laboratories, computer rooms and an exhibition and unveil a plaque. The BVI High School Band will provide entertainment. From there, His Royal Highness will be taken to the Joseph Reynold O'Neal Botanical Gardens, where he will be met by the Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Julian Fraser and his team, the Chairman of the Gardens and the Chairman of the National Parks Trust. H.E Governor Savage said this is another opportunity for members of the public to see the Prince as he tours the Garden. In Fishlock Hall, HRH will attend a presentation of the National Parks Trust and meet some of the young NPT volunteers. "I'm hopeful that His Royal Highness will present a cheque to the National Parks Trust for a scheme we are working on together, the Governor's Office and the National Parks Trust, to encourage more young members of the community to get involved in the protection of the environment," he said. The entourage will then proceed to the Rainbow Children's Home, to be met by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Health, Education and Welfare the Hon. Eileene Parsons. He will tour the home, meet the children and present some playground equipment to them. "Following that, he will return to Government House... he will work on official papers; this will be a ten-day working visit for His Royal Highness and he does have official papers to attend to, he does have briefs to read," the BVI Governor reported.

He explained that this visit is an official one, a goodwill mission, a familiarization visit, HRH is not coming here as an emissary bringing messages other than of good will; he will not conduct government business but will be receptive to what government will be telling him about the island and its needs. It is expected that he will report on those when he gets back to London. There will be a reception at Government House at Allamanda Estate that evening for approximately 120 persons to meet His Royal Highness. Understandably, everyone cannot be invited, but attempts were made to ensure that all the main organizations on the island are represented. He leaves at around 7:15 p.m. Saturday for Peter Island to be hosted to dinner by Governor and Mrs. Savage. Ministers of Government will be in attendance. The Sunday programme for the Royal Visit will begin at 10 o'clock with service at the St. Georges Anglican Church, conducted by Bishop Daniels. He is expected to meet members of the congregation following the service. The Duke of York will move on to Virgin Islands Search and Rescue VISAR where he will be given an appraisal of their work and watch a launch of their rescue craft. "He will walk on just a short distance to observe the KATS programme, the Kids And The Sea. Prince Andrew will go on to the Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club where he will be met by the Commodore and Mrs. Haycraft. He will be taking lunch at the Club, following the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the granting of the title "Royal" on the Yacht Club. At about 2:20 p.m. Sunday, HRH will proceed to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Marine Base, where he will be met by Police Commissioner and Mrs. Vernon Malone and introduced to senior officers.

At 3 o'clock, he will depart on St. Ursula to Virgin Gorda and will be met by District Representative, Chief Minister O'Neal. On Virgin Gorda, His Royal Highness will officially re-open the Virgin Gorda Police Station, tour the facility, meet members of the Police Force and unveil a plaque. This is another function to which the public is invited.

After a short visit to The Coppermine and some interaction with the President of the National Parks Trust and members of the Restoration Committee, he will attend a reception at the Top of the Baths, hosted by Chief Minister and Mrs. O'Neal. He is scheduled to depart Virgin Gorda at 6:15 and return to Government House for private supper. The Royal Visit will come to an end Monday March 13th, Commonwealth Day and a public holiday in the BVI. "The theme for Commonwealth Day is communications and we're hoping to give him a spectacular send-off. We've invited the children of the territory to commemorate Commonwealth Day and there will be an avenue of Commonwealth flags, 54, 55 Commonwealth flags, which would have been made by the children of the territory," the Governor said. He said there should be several school children at the airport to meet the Prince and to collect a souvenir photograph of the visit. There will be a parade of Boys Scouts, Guides etc., before the Duke takes his farewell. "8:30 doors close and he will leave for Antigua and then to Montserrat," H.E reported.