Royal Visit to Solomon Islands

People of Solomon Islands are looking forward to its second royal visit since it gained independence from Great Britain 30 years ago.

In preparing for the royal visit, the Honiara City Mayor has organised a three day clean up campaign in Honiara starting yesterday.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will arrive for a four days visit in the country.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, is a cousin of Her Majesty The Queen.

The visit is part of the Duke and Duchess' official visits in regions throughout the United Kingdom and abroad supporting their varied patronages.

The royal visit also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Solomon Islands.

A guard of honor will welcome their Royal Highnesses at the Henderson International Airport.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Peter Marshall, said that a big ceremony will take place Monday at the Lawson Tama where there will be an inspection of the parade from the Duke of Gloucester.

In announcing the visit, the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena said this visit was particularly appropriate as the Duke and Duchess are the members of Royal Family who were present in Honiara on 7 July 1978 at the moment Solomon Islands attained independence.

Sir Nathaniel said they will be enormously welcomed on their return after thirty years.

While in Honiara, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be entertained by the Governor General, the Solomon Islands Government and the British High Commissioner.

The Speaker of Parliament has invited His Royal Highness the Duke to address Parliament.

On Sunday, an Ecumenical Church Service of thanks for thirty years of independence will be held in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses at Saint Barnabas Anglican Cathedral.

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, the RAMSI Camp at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort and King George Sixth School.

They will also attend events associated with the Saint John's Ambulance Brigade and the Government House First Lady Charity.

Their Royal Highnesses will also pay their respects at the United States War Memorial.

The Duke of Gloucester will be the third person invited to address the National Parliament since Independence. The other two were the then Prime Minister of Tonga and the then President of Taiwan.