Day two: Monday 25th November
On the final day of the autumn tour 2019, His Royal Highness visited the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands, and was greeted with a traditional welcome.
The Prince then met John Patteson Oti, Speaker of the National Parliament, before addressing the Chamber of gathered MPs.
His Royal Highness said:
In this shared endeavour, it is my dearest wish that the Solomon Islands might become a beacon – in this region and across the Commonwealth as a whole - showing how extraordinary natural capital can be harnessed sustainably to guarantee the prosperity and security of future generations.
You can read the full speech here.
In the afternoon, His Royal Highness attended a State Reception and met groups of local schoolchildren, before visiting the Lawson Tama Stadium for an Oceans event.
At the community gathering, The Prince met traditional dancers before the Prime Minister spoke of the Solomon Islands’ Ocean Policy and their recommitment to it.
Later, His Royal Highness visited the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency - an intergovernmental agency made of 17 Pacific Islands and was established to help countries sustainably manage their fishery resources.
Finally, at Honiara International Airport, a farewell ceremony brought to a close The Prince’s first visit to the Solomon Islands.
Day one: Sunday 24th November
This morning, The Prince of Wales attended a Service of Thanksgiving and met members of the congregation at St. Barnabas’ Anglican Cathedral in Honiara – the capital of the Solomon Islands. In the cathedral The Prince also lit a candle for victims of gender-based violence, before meeting many well-wishers gathered outside.
His Royal Highness then travelled to Government House for a meeting with the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi.
At Government House, The Prince also undertook a series of Investitures, honouring people for various services to the Solomon Islands. Around 30 Investitures take place each year, and over sixty recipients attend each ceremony, normally at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, but they also happen occasionally overseas during Royal visits.
Before departing Government House, The Prince met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Rounding off day one of the visit, His Royal Highness attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers’ Memorial.
The monument honours the legacy and efforts of Solomon Islanders and Allied coastwatchers who participated in the Guadalcanal campaign of the Second World War. The scouts kept the coastwatchers safe and also gathered information on the enemy's movement.
