Prince Departs After Successful 4-Day Visit

Students from schools across St. James lined both sides of the roadway leading to the Sangster International Airport in  Montego Bay yesterday (March 8), to bid farewell to His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales (always known as Prince Harry).

The students, waving small replicas of the Jamaican flag, cheered as the official convoy with the Prince and his party approached.

Prince Harry acknowledged their presence with waves and smiles from the Land Rover in which he was being transported.

The convoy then went on to the IAM Jet Centre, for the Prince to board the private jet to depart the island.

Prince Harry was met at the plane side by Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting; Custos of Trelawny, Hon. Paul Muschett; Custos of St. James, Hon. Ewen George Corrodus; Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Carole Guntley,  and personnel from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

Before he boarded, the Prince acknowledged the various local personnel, who had contributed to his successful stay in the island, shaking hands with the officials gathered, and ground staff at the airport.

The Prince and his party then boarded the private jet, which lifted off at about 5:15 pm.

Prince Harry arrived in the island on Monday (March 5), for a four-day visit to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of his grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen.

On Tuesday (March 6), he visited the Usain Bolt Track at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, where he raced the sprinter and interacted with young national athletes.

Prince Harry then moved on to the university’s Law Faculty, where he witnessed a few minutes of a mock debate and unveiled a plaque there in honour of his grandmother’s Diamond Jubilee.

He then visited the Bustamante Hospital for Children and unveiled a plaque on the main entry building in honour of The Queen. He was hosted by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, for lunch at the historic Devon House, before travelling to the Victoria Jubilee Hospital for the unveiling of Basil Watson’s staute: The Rings of Life, which marks three events in 2012: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee as an independent nation; and the 120th anniversary of the founding of the hospital.

The Prince then visited Rise Life Management Services downtown Kingston, where he spoke with children preparing for the upcoming Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT); viewed items manufactured by young entrepreneurs, and participated in a cultural session, where he showed off his dancing skills.

The day ended with a State Dinner hosted by Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House.

On Wednesday (March 7), Prince Harry visited Up Park Camp, where he had breakfast with fellow officers, including two soldiers, with whom he trained at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the UK, before commissioning into service, a 60-foot rappelling and fast rope tower.

Prince Harry, who is a captain in the Army Air Corps and holds two honorary military appointments in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, also participated in live firearm practice at the JDF 30-metre range.

He then co-piloted a helicopter from the JDF Air Wing to the William Knibb Memorial High School playing field in Trelawny, and from there, engaged in an afternoon of sightseeing of the historic town in the company of the Governor-General and Lady Allen.

After the tour, he visited the Good Hope Great House, located just outside Falmouth and later that evening, he was treated to a Jamaica Night event on the Sandals Cay in Montego Bay.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter