Charles and Camilla To Visit South America

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will travel to Chile, Brazil and Ecuador from 8 to 17 March this year. The visit will focus on the relationship between these South American countries and the UK. The main issue will be something that has been very close to the Prince’s heart for many years: environmental issues and climate change.

Prince Charles is known as a passionate fighter for the environment. He talked about global warming and the destruction of the rainforest long before these problems were daily subjects in the media. He receives criticism for this, particularly from those who think this kind of work is not fit for the heir to the throne and from people who refuse to see the importance of fighting global warming.

Today many know that the Prince got it right, and they see him as a true green hero. In 2007 he collected an important environmental award in the U.S., presented in a ceremony by Al Gore. Later Charles gave a keynote speech at the European Parliament in Brussels. And he launched The Prince’s Rainforest Project last year.

The trip to South America will include a visit to the Galapagos National Park to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this immensly fragile biosphere where visitors have to follow strict rules. And the royal visit is is timed particulary to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his publication “On the Origin of the Species”.

After the annoucement of the official royal visit next month critics seized on the choice of transport from the UK to South America, because TRH will use a private jet for their tour. Although they will take a small plane (Airbus A319), this has ignited a discussion if it’s the right decision not to take a public flight.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Brazil, Charles Darwin, Chile, Ecuador, Environment, Official Visit, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales.