Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, will visit Split on May 16 and 17, 2019, reports Dalmatinski Portal on May 9, 2019.
Prince Edward’s host will be Split mayor Andro Krstulović Opara, with whom he will visit Diocletian's Palace. The Palace symbolizes both the early and close link between Britain and Croatia - in the 18th century, Scottish architect Robert Adam was so thrilled by its architecture, he used it as inspiration for building designs in Britain.
On the British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan, which will be docked at the Split port, the Royal Highness will be joined by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Armed Forces to mark close cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Croatia in the areas of defense and security - both bilaterally and within NATO - as well as the 10th anniversary of Croatia's membership in NATO.
Prince Edward will visit the First Gymnasium, which has been working with Aston College in Dover for 25 years. He will also open the British company ICE Marine Design, which specializes in ship design and has plans to employ 60 people in Croatia over the next two years, and will even meet with Professor Miroslav Radman, whose scientific research with the University of Cambridge, UK, will help us live healthier and longer.
“Members of the Royal Family are considered to be 'ambassadors' of the United Kingdom and the Queen. Their visits show the respect and attention of the UK towards the country they are visiting. The visit of Prince Edward emphasizes the permanent friendship and partnership of Great Britain and Croatia. Our two countries are already connected on so many levels, through history and today, in culture and science, defense and security, values and business. Nothing is more natural than building on this great base in the future,” said British ambassador to Croatia, Andrew Dalgleish.
This visit to Split will be the first official visit of Prince Edward to Croatia. His brother, Prince of Wales, was in Croatia several times, and his sister, Princess Anna, visited Croatia in 2009. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Croatia in 1972.
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