By NAN ET Editor
News Americas, LOS ANGELES, CA, Mon. Nov. 21, 2016: Prince Harry landed in Antigua Sunday, inspecting the Guard at the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force military parade and attending a reception hosted by the island’s Governor General as part of the island’s 35th independence anniversary celebration.
He presented Sir Rodney Williams, the island’s Governor-General, with a photo of The Queen & The Duke of Edinburgh at a reception hosted by the GG.
The Prince delivered a simple message from the Queen of England as follows:
“Prince Philip and I send our warmest wishes to Antigua and Barbuda on the occasion of this celebration to mark 35 years of Independence. I have fond memories of visiting your country in 1966, 1977 during the Silver Jubilee and again in 1985.
I will never forget the warmth of your people and the incredible natural beauty of the islands. It has been a great privilege for me to watch Antigua and Barbuda develop into the confident country it is today with a strong national identity and a positive outlook.
I congratulate all of you for the part you have played in building this community and creating so many opportunities for the next generation.
ELIZABETH R”
The Prince made an unscheduled stop at Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Admiral Lord Nelson was based for four years in the 1780s.
Antigua & Barbuda officially became independent on Nov. 1, 1981.
The prince will visit six countries where the Queen is head of state: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines
He will also tour Guyana. The visit will mark the 50th anniversary of independence for Barbados and Guyana.
Prince Harry’s build-up has been overshadowed after it emerged he was dating US actress Meghan Markle.
Earlier this month Prince Harry, 32, hit out at the media for subjecting Markle to a “wave of abuse and harassment” issuing a rare but strongly worded statement. Additionally, the hashtag #NotMyPrince has been trending in the Caribbean.
