HAVANA, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prince Charles unveiled a statue of English playwright William Shakespeare in the heart of Havana’s restored colonial centre, as part of the first official visit ever by a British royal to communist-run Cuba.
The Prince of Wales, who is a keen conservationist, and his wife Camilla were guided on their city tour by Eusebio Leal, an historian widely recognised for overseeing a facelift of the Cuban capital’s historic centre.
Wearing sunglasses to protect himself from the fierce Caribbean sun, the 70-year old heir to the British throne stopped to banter with tourists and Cubans on his walk.
His three-day trip aims to strengthen British-Cuban relations as part of a broader normalisation of the island’s relations with the West, even though the Trump administration has sought to unravel a detente between Cuba and the United States.
The Prince of Wales stopped to talk with the owners of several private businesses that have flourished over the last decade since Cuba started opening more of its beleaguered state-dominated economy to free enterprise.
Charles also visited a workshop which trains hundreds of young people in restoration techniques, necessary for the upkeep of Havana, that was founded in 1519. Much of the city has crumbled due to neglect and lack of funds for restoration.
“He’s a sensitive person who clearly has knowledge of restoration,” said workshop director Juan Carlos Botello, 55. “He was very interested in the plaster pieces for the Capitol and signed a piece that will be placed there. We won’t paint over that piece.”
The royal couple stopped at several points to listen to bands playing traditional Cuban music including Guantanamera.
Later on Monday, the royal couple is set to meet and dine with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who succeeded Raul Castro a year ago. Charles first met Diaz-Canel last year when he visited London during a tour of several countries.
The royals added Cuba onto their nearly two-week Caribbean tour of former and current British territories at the request of the British government. — NNN-AGENCIES
