Prince Harry wasn’t the only royal leaving his mark in the Caribbean this month.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations got off to a joyful start when the Prince’s aunt and uncle, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, arrived in St Lucia to a warm welcome.
In the first of the Jubilee’s overseas trips by the royal family, Edward and Sophie started their two week tour of the West Indies helping the St Lucians mark Independence Day before watching a colourful performance by some of the island’s young people.
There were more acts on show at the St Lucia School of Music the next day, where mum-of-two Sophie chatted happily to the youngsters.
A more formal touch followed in their next destination, Barbados, with the Earl addressing a joint sitting of both houses of parliament. “It is a distinct pleasure for Sophie and me to be in Barbados and an honour to represent Her Majesty the Queen,” Edward said.
That night, the couple attended a state dinner at Government House. In a sequined Ulrich Engler dress, Sophie made a stylish entrance to mingle with guests who included legendary cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers.
Then onto Trinidad where as well as inspecting a guard of honour in Trinidad, Sophie visited the Princess Elizabeth Centre, which was opened to commemorate the Queen’s wedding, using funds raised by Trinidadians.
The centre provides care for youngsters with special needs and the Duchess said later that “getting to meet the wonderful children was the most special part of the visit”.
