After much anticipation, His Royal Highness Prince Henry Charles Albert David, also known as Prince Harry, arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport. Moments after the plane landed, the Royal flag was handed over to an element of the Belize Defense Force (BDF), who hoisted the Royal Standard of Prince Henry of Wales. As tradition, once a member of the Royal Family is on an official visit, the Royal Standard is flown next to the Belizean flag.
Before exiting the private jet Prince Harry was greeted onboard by Diane Lock, Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lock then escorted a smiling, happy and enthusiastic Prince Harry off the plane where he was officially introduced to the Queen’s representative in Belize, Governor General Sir Colville Young, GCMG, MBE.  The Prince then proceeded to an elevated platform where he was presented with the Royal Salute followed by the Queen’s Anthem and the Belize National Anthem, which was performed by the official band of the BDF.
Accompanied by GG Young, the Prince was then introduced to the Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow who shook his hand and welcomed him to Belizean territories. The Prince was also greeted, as a tradition in any official visit, by the Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca, after which the British High Commissioner to Belize HE Pat Ashworth was introduced. After brief pleasantries with the officials, the Prince was escorted to the VIP lounge at the airport. Once inside the VIP lounge, the young Prince met in private with the wife of PM Barrow, Kim Simplis Barrow. The meeting lasted less than ten minutes after which Prince Harry departed to Belmopan City shortly before 4:45PM.
A group of Belizeans awaited outside the airport, hoping to get a glimpse of the Prince as he departed to Belmopan. Before boarding the escorting vehicle Prince Harry waved at the on looking crowd as they displayed signs that read, “Welcome to Belize Prince Harry, Enjoy Your Stay.”
Prince Harry left to the capital of Belize, Belmopan in a convoy of vehicles headed by escorting motorcycles from the Belize Police Department. The Prince will be meeting with the Governor General of Belize at the GG’s residence after which he will deliver an official message on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee at a street party.
