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The Prince of Wales today said the Commonwealth is “vital” to the health of the world and the future of humanity.

In an impassioned speech Prince Charles - the future head of the Commonwealth - said it had been the “cornerstone” of his life.

And he said he believes it plays a crucial role bringing “us together” to “address common challenges” like the serious threat of climate change.

Charles, confirmed as the next head of the 70-year-old association of 53 countries by its leaders after the Queen, spoke out at the start of a major Commonwealth tour of the Caribbean and also an historic visit to Communist Cuba, the first there by a British royal.

The Prince, on this tour representing the Queen at the behest of the Foreign Office, has long been a passionate advocate of sustainability and the circular economy.

He said the Commonwealth has real power - as it represents a third of the world’s population - to tackle global challenges that impact on us all.

“The Commonwealth has been the cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember and through all the unprecedented challenges of those past seven decades it seems to me that the Commonwealth remains as vital today as it has ever been.”

Speaking at the official welcoming parade in St. Lucia today, at the Philip Marcellin Grounds, ahead of a reception Serenity Hotel, Coconut Bay to mark the island country’s 40th anniversary independence, he said: “Importantly the Commonwealth brings us together and gives us the means to harness shared opportunities as well as to address common challenges.”

Prince Charles: The Prince of Wales - In pictures 78 show all Prince Charles: The Prince of Wales - In pictures 1/78 2008 Prince Charles Prince Of Wales 60th Birthday Portrait Getty Images 2/78 1949 Childhood portrait of the baby Prince Charles in his basket, at Buckingham Palace, London Getty Images 3/78 The fair-haired and blue-eyed infant Prince was 19 weeks old when photographed and weighed 16lb 2oz. PA 4/78 Princess Elizabeth holding Prince Charles in his Christening gown with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh behind. PA 5/78 Prince Charles, later The Prince of Wales, perched on the lap of his father the Duke of Edinburgh, whilst his mother Queen Elizabeth II looks on in the grounds of Windlesham Moor, country home in Surrey of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke. PA 6/78 1951 Portrait of the prince taken before his third birthday PA 7/78 The first pictures of the King after his severe lung operation. They were accompanied by Prince Charles and his baby sister, Princess Anne on his 3rd birthday visit to Buckingham Palace. PA 8/78 The Prince of Wales with his father, the Duke of Edinburgh during a motorboat race up the river Medina at Cowes, Isle of Wight. PA 9/78 Princess Anne in the arms of Princess Elizabeth, with the Duke of Edinburgh, holding Prince Charles, in the grounds of Clarence House, their London residence. PA 10/78 Charming third birthday picture of Princess Anne with her brother the Duke of Cornwall. PA 11/78 Prince Charles keeps a look out on his fourth birthday, as he leans from a window with his indulgently smiling young mother, the Queen. PA 12/78 1957 Prince Charles and Princess Anne play in the sand with a corgi at Holkham Beach, 1957 Getty Images 13/78 Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour Ceremony. In the background is Earl Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle. PA 14/78 1958 The Prince of Wales walking to Cheam School in Berkshire. PA 15/78 1967 Prince Charles walking in Downing Street, Cambridge. He is beginning his term at Trinity College. Getty Images 16/78 1969 Prince Charles (centre) wearing a crown and robes after a ceremony where he was invested as the Prince of Wales, with Queen Elizabeth II (left) and the Duke of Edinburgh (right) at Caernarvon Castle, Wales, July 2nd 1969. Getty Images 17/78 To the delight of youngsters, the Prince of Wales became a disco king today, trying his hand at breakdancing in a discotheque session at Middleton-on-Sea during today's visit to a Youth Meets Industry course for 300 unemployed, organised by the Prince's Trust PA 18/78 1969 Charles, Prince of Wales talks to local people during a tour of Wales Getty Images 19/78 1969 The Queen puts sword and belt on Prince of Wales during the Investiture ceremony at Caernarfon Castle, Wales PA 20/78 1969 The Queen holds the hands of her 20-year-old son Prince Charles during his investiture as Prince of Wales AFP/Getty Images 21/78 1969 The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with the Prince of Wales during his investiture at Caernarfon Castle PA 22/78 1969 The Queen presents her son, the Prince of Wales at the King's Gate at Caernarfon Castle after his investiture PA 23/78 1970 The Prince of wales at Cambridge wearing his Trinity College gown PA 24/78 1978 Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales learns a soul dance routine from 16-year-old Pearl Willie (on his left) and other members of St George's Secondary School in Maida Vale, London Getty Images 25/78 Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh and their sons, left to right, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, and daughter Princess Anne with her son Peter Phillips at Balmoral. PA 26/78 1979 Prince Charles runs out of the surf at Bondi Beach after an early morning swim 27/78 1979 Prince Charles receives a kiss and a cuddle from bikini-clad Jane Priest, during an early morning swim at Perth's Cottesloe Beach. 28/78 Prince Charles is presented with the runners-up prize by his mother, the Queen, following his team's defeat in the Silver Jubilee Cup match against France at Windsor Great Park. PA 29/78 1981 Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in the grounds of Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement. PA 30/78 1981 Princess Diana wearing the now famous Spencer Tiara on her wedding day to Charles AP 31/78 1981 Princess Diana and Prince Charles on their wedding day at Buckingham Palace. PA 32/78 1982 Princess Diana and Prince Charles are shown with their son Prince William during a photo session at Kensington Palace in London in December 1982. AP 33/78 Prince Charles and Princess Diana with the newly born Prince Henry (Harry) Getty Images 34/78 Prince Charles laughing with his sons, as he lifts Prince Harry onto Prince William's shoulders Getty Images 35/78 Princess Diana, her sons Harry and William, and Prince Charles watch the parade march past as part of the commemorations of VJ Day AFP/Getty Images 36/78 1997 Prince Charles (R), former husband of Diana, their two sons, Harry (C) and William follow the hearse in a Limousine as the coffin of Princess of Wales, makes its way from Saint James's Palace to Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images 37/78 1997 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales AFP/Getty Images 38/78 1997 Princes William and Harry and Prince Charles at Diana's funeral 39/78 1997 British pop group The Spice Girls, Mel C (L), Emma, (2L) Mel B (C) Gerri, (2R) and Victoria (R) pose with President Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles in Pretoria, (3L) November 1. Prince Charles, who is on the second day of his South African visit Reuters 40/78 1999 Prince Charles of Wales hits the ball during a polo game that the "Prince of Wales" team won 9-7 at the Hurlingham Club AFP/Getty Images 41/78 2002 Prince Charles (C) poses for a photograph with his sons Prince William (R) and Prince Harry during their annual skiing holiday in the Swiss alps 2002 Getty Images 42/78 2005 Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall leave a blessing at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle after their civil wedding AFP/Getty Images 43/78 2005 The Prince of Wales, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, during their wedding blessing at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel in 2005 PA 44/78 2005 Prince Charles on his wedding day to Duchess of Cornwall in 2005 Getty Images 45/78 2005 Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall meet members of the public outside St George's Chapel in Windsor after the blessing of their civil marriage AFP/Getty Images 46/78 2006 The Queen and Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales laugh as they watch competitors during the Braemar Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, Scotland Getty Images 47/78 2009 The Queen presents Prince Charles, Prince of Wales with the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show on 18 May 2009 in London. The Victoria Medal of Honour is the highest accolade that the Royal Horticultural Society can bestow Getty Images 48/78 2011 Prince Harry and his father, the Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, stand in front of an Apache Helicopter after Prince Charles was invited by the Army Aviation Centre in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps (AAC) in order to fly an Apache and to meet students on the Apache Conversion Course in Middle Wallop Getty Images 49/78 2012 The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales iron artwork produced on silk during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery Getty Images 50/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales receives His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Clarence House Getty Images 51/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales reads the weather in the Six O'Clock studio during a tour of the BBC Scotland Headquarters where they met staff to celebrate sixty years of BBC Scotland Television WPA Pool/Getty Images 52/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge head back to the RAF Rescue base after Prince William showed his father round his RAF Rescue helicopter at RAF Valley Getty Images 53/78 2014 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watch the action during the Braemar Highland Games on September 6, 2014 in Braemar, Scotland. Getty Images 54/78 2014 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales look at a mobile phone as they watch the athletics at Lee Valley Track during the Invictus Games on September 11, 2014 Chris Jackson/Getty Images 55/78 2015 The Prince of Wales (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall react as they meet the Army Air Corps mascot, bald eagle Zephyr, during their visit to Sandringham flower show held on the Royal Estate in Norfolk. PA 56/78 2016 Prince Charles and Camilla tour a Souk as part of their visit to the Middle East Getty Images 57/78 2017 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales views tributes left at the scene of the Finsbury Mosque attack alongside Imam Mohammed Mahmoud who protected the attacker after the incident. Getty Images 58/78 2017 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales feeds an orangutan during a visit to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation centre in Malaysia Getty Images 59/78 2017 The Prince of Wales enters through a door shaped in the style of Dr Who's Tardis during his visit to Worq Co-working space for Young Entrepreneurs Getty Images 60/78 2018 Prince Charles chats with an indigenous elder during a traditional Welcome to Country Ceremony on April 9, 2018 in Gove, Australia Getty Images 61/78 2018 Britain's Prince Charles wears a mulka string, a feather stringed headband, as he takes part in a traditional welcome ceremony during a visit to Mount Nhulun in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia Phil Noble/Reuters 62/78 2018 Prince Charles talks on stage at the concert PA 63/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace Getty Images 64/78 2018 Britain's Prince William, Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice at the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle AP 65/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Getty Images 66/78 2018 Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall walk down the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle following the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor AP 67/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace Getty Images 68/78 2018 Members of the Royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, in London on June 9, 2018 as part of the ceremony of Trooping the Colour. AFP/Getty Images 69/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) arrive to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London AFP/Getty Images 70/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot PA 71/78 2019 Prince Charles Prince of Wales, Colonel, Welsh Guards (C) during a presentation of campaign medals to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards following their return from Afghanistan, at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp, at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp in Woking Getty Images 72/78 2019 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during a visit to Lambeth Palace to present the Cranmer Awards at the Prayer Book Society's thirtieth annual contest in London Getty Images 73/78 2019 Prince Charles arrives for the Imperial Palace to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito AP 74/78 2019 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits the semi-final training venue for the Wales Rugby team at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Getty Images 75/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel. The Prince of Wales is on a two day trip to the Middle East, meeting with the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin, Holocaust survivors and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Getty Images 76/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israe Getty Images 77/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel Getty Images 78/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales uses the Namaste gesture to greet television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as he attends the Prince's Trust Getty Images 1/78 2008 Prince Charles Prince Of Wales 60th Birthday Portrait Getty Images 2/78 1949 Childhood portrait of the baby Prince Charles in his basket, at Buckingham Palace, London Getty Images 3/78 The fair-haired and blue-eyed infant Prince was 19 weeks old when photographed and weighed 16lb 2oz. PA 4/78 Princess Elizabeth holding Prince Charles in his Christening gown with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh behind. PA 5/78 Prince Charles, later The Prince of Wales, perched on the lap of his father the Duke of Edinburgh, whilst his mother Queen Elizabeth II looks on in the grounds of Windlesham Moor, country home in Surrey of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke. PA 6/78 1951 Portrait of the prince taken before his third birthday PA 7/78 The first pictures of the King after his severe lung operation. They were accompanied by Prince Charles and his baby sister, Princess Anne on his 3rd birthday visit to Buckingham Palace. PA 8/78 The Prince of Wales with his father, the Duke of Edinburgh during a motorboat race up the river Medina at Cowes, Isle of Wight. PA 9/78 Princess Anne in the arms of Princess Elizabeth, with the Duke of Edinburgh, holding Prince Charles, in the grounds of Clarence House, their London residence. PA 10/78 Charming third birthday picture of Princess Anne with her brother the Duke of Cornwall. PA 11/78 Prince Charles keeps a look out on his fourth birthday, as he leans from a window with his indulgently smiling young mother, the Queen. PA 12/78 1957 Prince Charles and Princess Anne play in the sand with a corgi at Holkham Beach, 1957 Getty Images 13/78 Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour Ceremony. In the background is Earl Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle. PA 14/78 1958 The Prince of Wales walking to Cheam School in Berkshire. PA 15/78 1967 Prince Charles walking in Downing Street, Cambridge. He is beginning his term at Trinity College. Getty Images 16/78 1969 Prince Charles (centre) wearing a crown and robes after a ceremony where he was invested as the Prince of Wales, with Queen Elizabeth II (left) and the Duke of Edinburgh (right) at Caernarvon Castle, Wales, July 2nd 1969. Getty Images 17/78 To the delight of youngsters, the Prince of Wales became a disco king today, trying his hand at breakdancing in a discotheque session at Middleton-on-Sea during today's visit to a Youth Meets Industry course for 300 unemployed, organised by the Prince's Trust PA 18/78 1969 Charles, Prince of Wales talks to local people during a tour of Wales Getty Images 19/78 1969 The Queen puts sword and belt on Prince of Wales during the Investiture ceremony at Caernarfon Castle, Wales PA 20/78 1969 The Queen holds the hands of her 20-year-old son Prince Charles during his investiture as Prince of Wales AFP/Getty Images 21/78 1969 The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with the Prince of Wales during his investiture at Caernarfon Castle PA 22/78 1969 The Queen presents her son, the Prince of Wales at the King's Gate at Caernarfon Castle after his investiture PA 23/78 1970 The Prince of wales at Cambridge wearing his Trinity College gown PA 24/78 1978 Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales learns a soul dance routine from 16-year-old Pearl Willie (on his left) and other members of St George's Secondary School in Maida Vale, London Getty Images 25/78 Queen Elizabeth II with the Duke of Edinburgh and their sons, left to right, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, and daughter Princess Anne with her son Peter Phillips at Balmoral. PA 26/78 1979 Prince Charles runs out of the surf at Bondi Beach after an early morning swim 27/78 1979 Prince Charles receives a kiss and a cuddle from bikini-clad Jane Priest, during an early morning swim at Perth's Cottesloe Beach. 28/78 Prince Charles is presented with the runners-up prize by his mother, the Queen, following his team's defeat in the Silver Jubilee Cup match against France at Windsor Great Park. PA 29/78 1981 Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in the grounds of Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement. PA 30/78 1981 Princess Diana wearing the now famous Spencer Tiara on her wedding day to Charles AP 31/78 1981 Princess Diana and Prince Charles on their wedding day at Buckingham Palace. PA 32/78 1982 Princess Diana and Prince Charles are shown with their son Prince William during a photo session at Kensington Palace in London in December 1982. AP 33/78 Prince Charles and Princess Diana with the newly born Prince Henry (Harry) Getty Images 34/78 Prince Charles laughing with his sons, as he lifts Prince Harry onto Prince William's shoulders Getty Images 35/78 Princess Diana, her sons Harry and William, and Prince Charles watch the parade march past as part of the commemorations of VJ Day AFP/Getty Images 36/78 1997 Prince Charles (R), former husband of Diana, their two sons, Harry (C) and William follow the hearse in a Limousine as the coffin of Princess of Wales, makes its way from Saint James's Palace to Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images 37/78 1997 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales AFP/Getty Images 38/78 1997 Princes William and Harry and Prince Charles at Diana's funeral 39/78 1997 British pop group The Spice Girls, Mel C (L), Emma, (2L) Mel B (C) Gerri, (2R) and Victoria (R) pose with President Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles in Pretoria, (3L) November 1. Prince Charles, who is on the second day of his South African visit Reuters 40/78 1999 Prince Charles of Wales hits the ball during a polo game that the "Prince of Wales" team won 9-7 at the Hurlingham Club AFP/Getty Images 41/78 2002 Prince Charles (C) poses for a photograph with his sons Prince William (R) and Prince Harry during their annual skiing holiday in the Swiss alps 2002 Getty Images 42/78 2005 Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall leave a blessing at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle after their civil wedding AFP/Getty Images 43/78 2005 The Prince of Wales, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, during their wedding blessing at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel in 2005 PA 44/78 2005 Prince Charles on his wedding day to Duchess of Cornwall in 2005 Getty Images 45/78 2005 Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall meet members of the public outside St George's Chapel in Windsor after the blessing of their civil marriage AFP/Getty Images 46/78 2006 The Queen and Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales laugh as they watch competitors during the Braemar Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, Scotland Getty Images 47/78 2009 The Queen presents Prince Charles, Prince of Wales with the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show on 18 May 2009 in London. The Victoria Medal of Honour is the highest accolade that the Royal Horticultural Society can bestow Getty Images 48/78 2011 Prince Harry and his father, the Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, stand in front of an Apache Helicopter after Prince Charles was invited by the Army Aviation Centre in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps (AAC) in order to fly an Apache and to meet students on the Apache Conversion Course in Middle Wallop Getty Images 49/78 2012 The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales iron artwork produced on silk during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery Getty Images 50/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales receives His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Clarence House Getty Images 51/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales reads the weather in the Six O'Clock studio during a tour of the BBC Scotland Headquarters where they met staff to celebrate sixty years of BBC Scotland Television WPA Pool/Getty Images 52/78 2012 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge head back to the RAF Rescue base after Prince William showed his father round his RAF Rescue helicopter at RAF Valley Getty Images 53/78 2014 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watch the action during the Braemar Highland Games on September 6, 2014 in Braemar, Scotland. Getty Images 54/78 2014 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales look at a mobile phone as they watch the athletics at Lee Valley Track during the Invictus Games on September 11, 2014 Chris Jackson/Getty Images 55/78 2015 The Prince of Wales (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall react as they meet the Army Air Corps mascot, bald eagle Zephyr, during their visit to Sandringham flower show held on the Royal Estate in Norfolk. PA 56/78 2016 Prince Charles and Camilla tour a Souk as part of their visit to the Middle East Getty Images 57/78 2017 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales views tributes left at the scene of the Finsbury Mosque attack alongside Imam Mohammed Mahmoud who protected the attacker after the incident. Getty Images 58/78 2017 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales feeds an orangutan during a visit to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation centre in Malaysia Getty Images 59/78 2017 The Prince of Wales enters through a door shaped in the style of Dr Who's Tardis during his visit to Worq Co-working space for Young Entrepreneurs Getty Images 60/78 2018 Prince Charles chats with an indigenous elder during a traditional Welcome to Country Ceremony on April 9, 2018 in Gove, Australia Getty Images 61/78 2018 Britain's Prince Charles wears a mulka string, a feather stringed headband, as he takes part in a traditional welcome ceremony during a visit to Mount Nhulun in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia Phil Noble/Reuters 62/78 2018 Prince Charles talks on stage at the concert PA 63/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace Getty Images 64/78 2018 Britain's Prince William, Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice at the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle AP 65/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Getty Images 66/78 2018 Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall walk down the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle following the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor AP 67/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace Getty Images 68/78 2018 Members of the Royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, in London on June 9, 2018 as part of the ceremony of Trooping the Colour. AFP/Getty Images 69/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) arrive to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London AFP/Getty Images 70/78 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot PA 71/78 2019 Prince Charles Prince of Wales, Colonel, Welsh Guards (C) during a presentation of campaign medals to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards following their return from Afghanistan, at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp, at Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright Camp in Woking Getty Images 72/78 2019 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during a visit to Lambeth Palace to present the Cranmer Awards at the Prayer Book Society's thirtieth annual contest in London Getty Images 73/78 2019 Prince Charles arrives for the Imperial Palace to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito AP 74/78 2019 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits the semi-final training venue for the Wales Rugby team at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Getty Images 75/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel. The Prince of Wales is on a two day trip to the Middle East, meeting with the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin, Holocaust survivors and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Getty Images 76/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israe Getty Images 77/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrives at the Mosque of Omar on January 24, 2020 in Jerusalem, Israel Getty Images 78/78 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales uses the Namaste gesture to greet television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as he attends the Prince's Trust Getty Images

The Prince was also at pains to praised the resilience of the people of the Caribbean region who suffered personal hardship after the devastating hurricanes Mafia and Irma in 2017. Charles visited the region at the time to see first hand their impact.

The Prince went on to praise St Lucia - the only country to be named after a woman with more Nobel Laureates per capita than any other country - saying: “St. Lucia has a big history and the road that St Lucia travelled to independence in 1979 was long and took many turns.

“Four decades on as you look back at the journey you have taken and look ahead to the future you are building, the people of St Lucia have so much of which they can be proud.”

Prince Charles later left St Lucia to fly to Barbados - the hub for visiting the other islands using an RAF Voyager available for the Queen, Charles and Prime Minister, where he will be reunited with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who flew to the region ahead of the tour.

The visit to Cuba on 24 March for three days is being hailed as important in building diplomatic ties between the two counties as it is the first time such a senior royal figure has visited.

Given that the Queen no longer undertakes long haul travel Charles’s visit is seen as having the same high status as a State visit.