Day 11:

Beginning their final day in Cuba, Their Royal Highnesses visited a paladar, a type of private restaurant that is becoming increasingly popular in the country. Guided by Eddy Fernandez, President of the Cuban Culinary Association, The Prince and The Duchess viewed a variety of Cuban specialities, including Moro y Cristianos, rice made with black beans, and Tostones, pieces of stuffed plantain, often filled with ham and cheese. Ariel Causa, who directs a company promoting the Cuban restaurant industry, said, "They were exposed to the multicultural character and evolution of our cuisine. That fills me with joy."

Their Royal Highnesses were also given a mojito making demonstration with His Royal Highness trying his hand at traditional sugar cane grinding with a small hand mill. The restaurant’s owner, Diana Figuero, then showed The Prince and The Duchess how to mix the syrup with mint, rum and lime juice to make the famous Caribbean cocktail.

Next, The Prince of Wales visited the Centre of Molecular Immunology to learn about the research it conducts and treatment it delivers for cancer patients and those with other autoimmune diseases. His Royal Highness also met a number of researchers from the UK who are conducting joint projects with the centre.

Meanwhile, The Duchess of Cornwall stopped in at the National Equestrian Centre to view demonstrations from Cuba’s National and Future Champions Teams. Her Royal Highness also met a group of children who undertake equine therapy at the centre. The Duchess was introduced to one therapy horse named Diane and told how equine therapy had helped children with autism, MS sufferers and even recovering drug addicts. "Autistic children and horses seem to work very well together," Her Royal Highness said, "Horses aren't aggressive animals." Before departing, The Duchess visited a farrier workshop for blacksmiths from all over the country.

The Prince of Wales then met with artists who have been involved in the emergency response to the recent hurricane, which hit Havana on 27th January 2019. His Royal Highness viewed photographs showing the destruction and heard how the artistic community responded by delivering emergency supplies and food to those affected.

Finally, Their Royal Highnesses attended a reception at the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. The Prince and The Duchess and Her Royal Highness then met organisers and winners of the English language essay competition, Bridges between Cuba and the UK. The winning entry, entitled A White Rose for a Wild Ride, was written by Alyansdro Martinez, 24, a foreign language teacher from Havana. He said, "I am deeply honoured to have been the recipient of this honour and honoured to have been presented with my certificate by Her Royal Highness." Their Royal Highness then joined a reception with guests including government ministers and officials, British business representatives and Chevening Scholars.


 

Day 10:

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall began another day of engagements in Cuba, driving to John Lennon Square in a 1953 MG TD to attend a British classic car and motorbikes event. On arrival, The Prince and The Duchess met a number of car owners and event participants including motorbiker Yenima Zayas Ravelo and Luis Magin Ramirez Sanchez, a motorbiker and musician from Cuban rock band Habalama. Eduard Bermudez, local restaurateur and owner of the MG driven by His Royal Highness said, "To have my car driven by somebody like him - it's in safe hands." At the end of the event, Their Royal Highnesses met musicians at Submarino Amarillo (Yellow Submarine) Bar in Vedado, a venue where Cuban rock bands perform classic rock songs from the 60s and 70s, including Beatles covers.

Next, The Prince and The Duchess visited Areito EGREM Recording Studios. EGREM (Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales, Spanish for Enterprise of Recordings and Musical Editions) is the renowned national record label of Cuba founded in 1964 and is home to the largest catalogue of Cuban music in the world with about 65,000 masters. Their Royal Highnesses listened to a jam session by Eliades Ochoa of Buena Vista Social Club, and some jazz musicians, before visiting the studio’s cafe to hear Septeto Habanero, a musical heritage group that has been around for 90 years.

Following this, The Prince of Wales visited Mariel Solar Park, which, on completion, will be the largest solar project in the Caribbean. His Royal Highness then visited a biomass harvester site to see how the machine harvests marabu, a rampant weed across Cuba which is choking what could be productive land. 

Subsequently, The Prince was welcomed at Finca Marta, an organic farm owned by Fernando and Claudia Funes. On a tour of the farm, His Royal Highness saw a weather monitoring station run by Technological University of Havana, bee keeping facilities and vegetable growing areas. The Prince tasted some of the products produced on the farm before departing. 

Meanwhile, The Duchess of Cornwall joined a discussion with the Federation of Cuban Women to hear about how Cuba is combatting domestic violence and providing protection and support for victims and families. The Federation's prevention officer Mayra Diaz Garcia said, "We are so glad The Duchess has come to see all we have achieved here and we hope that can be replicated by women who live in difficult conditions around the world."

After this, Her Royal Highness visited a community dance group in their new space and watched dance classes and performances, including a “rueda de casino”. As the performance ended, The Duchess said, "That was brilliant. I'm very happy I saw some salsa. I'm trying to learn.” Dance is a huge part of Cuban life and there are over 550 members of the dance group. All the instructors are volunteers. The Duchess was later shown the group’s costume room, which houses costumes made by the dancers’ parents.  

Later that evening, The Prince and The Duchess attended a Gala Cultural Performance in Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso, featuring The Cuban National Ballet, Acosta Danza and Danza Contemporanea. The theatre is named after Alicia Alonso, who was the founder and La Prima Ballerina Assoluto of Cuba of a ballet company, which later became the National Ballet of Cuba. Following the performance, Their Royal Highnesses met with directors and performers. 
 

Day 9:

To begin the day, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall went on a guided walking tour of Old Havana. Highlights included Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, where The Prince and The Duchess viewed a plaque to commemorate their visit, and Obispo, where His Royal Highness unveiled a new statue of William Shakespeare. The Prince also stopped at a female run bicycle repair and rental business, and Escuela Taller, a workshop which trains young people in restoration techniques. Meanwhile, The Duchess stopped at Hogar Materno Infantil, a maternity home, and Plaz de San Francisco to view a performance by La Colmenita, a children’s theatre company. Their Royal Highnesses concluded the tour at the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, where they watched a rehearsal by all-female chamber music group, Camerata Romeu.

Next, The Prince of Wales visited Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym to view a training session and to meet boxers, including young students. The boxing gym runs classes for schools and members of the community.

Following this, Their Royal Highnesses visited Acosta Danza, an internationally renowned dance studio founded and directed by Carlos Acosta, who was Principal Guest Dancer at the Royal Ballet for seventeen years, despite a reluctant start to dance when he was younger. The Prince of Wales is President of the Royal Ballet and His Royal Highness presided over the investiture where Carlos Acosta received his CBE. After meeting staff at Acosta Danza, The Prince and The Duchess watched two performances, the first of which being an extract from Suite Tocororo, based on Carlos Acosta’s life.

After this, Their Royal Highnesses paid a visit to Muraleando Community Centre, which provides free workshops on painting, dance, popular music, percussion, audio-visual and handicrafts aimed at bringing children, youngsters and elderly people together. During a tour of the centre, The Prince and The Duchess viewed a brief dance performance and saw a sculpture entitled El Crecer (Growth), which was made to commemorate the visit. Their Royal Highnesses also saw children learning video editing techniques as part of the British Council’s Camara Chia project, before meeting community elders who make textile products to sell in support of the centre. Ahead of departure, The Prince and The Duchess listened to a musical performance by children of Special School of Camilo Cienfuegos, and visited an art gallery.

Later in the afternoon, The Prince of Wales visited La Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a converted industrial space which currently houses arts and performance spaces. The Prince joined a brief discussion with young entrepreneurs to hear about their businesses, before touring a showcase of stands featuring their products and services.

In the evening, Their Royal Highnesses attended an official welcome dinner at the Palacio de la Revolución, hosted by the President and his spouse.


Day 8:

Arriving in Havana, Cuba, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were greeted at the airport by the Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rogelio Sierra Diaz. 

Later in the afternoon, Their Royal Highnesses attended a ceremony at the José Martí Memorial, where The Prince laid a wreath. José Martí (1853-1895) was a central figure in the war of independence against Spain, and a poet and essayist. After the wreath laying ceremony, The Prince and The Duchess undertook a short tour of the José Martí Museum inside the monument, which is over 100 metres tall and the largest monument in the world to be dedicated to a writer. Curator Eva Maria Diaz told Their Royal Highnesses about the writer’s life and the history of Havana. Leaving the museum, The Prince said, “I've learnt a great deal about Jose Marti.”