The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are in Singapore on a Royal visit to the Commonwealth member state, in celebration of the two countries’ shared history and aims
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are in Singapore on a Royal visit to the Commonwealth member state, in celebration of the two countries’ shared history and aims.
Arriving on October 30, 2017, they were greeted by athletes and para-athletes from The Queen’s Commonwealth Baton Relay.
The Queen launched the Baton Relay in March, 2017, which will end its journey at the start of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Prince Charles, representing the Queen, will officially open the Games on the Gold Coast, Australia on April 4, next year.
The Prince and Duchess’ first full day began with an official welcome at the Istana Presidential Palace, where they were greeted by President of Singapore Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and his wife.
A wreath laying service followed at a Cenotaph built in memory of 124 Singaporean men who served and died during the First World War.
In a speech given later at the palace, the Prince acknowledged how the two countries “have prospered together and, as my wife and I acknowledged at the Cenotaph … suffered together too.”
In the afternoon, The Duchess of Cornwall attended a Commonwealth Literacy event at Temasek Junior College, where HRH met participants of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which has been managed by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883.
Singapore, following a study by the Pew Research Centre in 2014, is widely considered to be the most religiously diverse country in the world.
Prince Charles also met leaders of different faith groups at Singapore’s The Harmony Centre, acknowledging the religious diversity of Singapore, before visiting MacRitchie Reservoir, a nature park also known as Singapore’s Green Lung.
At a speech at the Presidential Palace, Prince Charles said: “Our two countries understand that if we are to address the challenges facing our world – from the horror of man-made climate change to the pernicious evil of terrorism – we must work together in partnership, just as we must if we are to enrich our societies and fuel our economies to deliver better futures for our children and grandchildren.
“It was so important to my wife and I that, as we look forward to the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London next year, we should start this Commonwealth Tour in Singapore where the very first CHOGM was held thirty-six years ago.
“Singapore is an essential and deeply valued member of our Commonwealth family, the special importance of which has been a cornerstone in my life as, of course, it has been for Her Majesty The Queen.”
Read More: Celebrating the 65 year reign of Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth
