In his speech celebrating the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on June 13, His Excellency the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena GCMG KStJ CSI, announced that there would soon be a Royal Visit to the Solomon Islands.

Their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be visiting the Solomon Islands in early August to mark the 30th anniversary of Independence and to bring greetings from Her Majesty the Queen to her people at this important milestone in the country's history.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester KG KCVO is a cousin of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Governor General remarked in his speech that this visit was particularly appropriate as the Duke and Duchess are the members of the Royal Family who were present in Honiara on 7 July 1978 when independence was given to Solomon Islands.