Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward visit Saint Lucia school
Big hugs for Sophie! Countess of Wessex gets a VERY warm welcome as she and husband Prince Edward visit school in Saint Lucia on last day of Caribbean tour
- Earl and Countess of Wessex are on final day of their Caribbean tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
- Prince Edward and Sophie meet staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
- Wessexes have also visited Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines during week-long tour
Sophie, Countess of Wessex hugged a group of children today on the final day of her Caribbean tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as she and husband Prince Edward were all smiles while visiting a school in Saint Lucia.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited Camille Henry Memorial School in the capital of Castries at the end of their week-long tour which has also taken them to Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Sophie, who was wearing a long white dress, and Edward, who had a blazer and open-necked shirt, laughed as they spoke with the boys and girls and watched a performance – and they were also presented with gifts.
The school trip this morning came one day after the Queen was urged to apologise by Caribbean protesters seeking reparations after the Wessexes initially received a mixed reception during their visit to Saint Lucia.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex hugs a group of children during her visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex hugs a group of children during her visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex hugs a schoolgirl during her visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Prince Edward meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex receive a gift at Camille Henry Memorial School today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex receive a gift at Camille Henry Memorial School today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Edward and Sophie initially received a warm welcome to the island during a walkabout in the town of Soufriere, but were soon met by a group of around ten protesters before a trip to a cocoa plantation.
One protester, who would not provide his name, told the PA news agency: ‘We want reparations now. The Queen of England needs to apologise for slavery.’ Another smiled and said: ‘London Bridge is falling down.’
The demonstrators displayed banners reading ‘repatriation with reparations’ and ‘Queen say sorry’ while playing drums and chanting.
The protests follow similar demonstrations in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where some held signs saying ‘compensation now’ and ‘Britain your debt is outstanding’.
The earl and countess were also urged to use their ‘diplomatic influence’ to provide ‘reparatory justice’ by the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda during a visit to the country on Monday.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex receive a gift at Camille Henry Memorial School today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex poses for a photograph with a schoolchild during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex sit on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex meets students from Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today as the royal tour continues
The Earl and Countess of Wessex sit on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex smiles as she meets staff at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex stands with a schoolboy during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex smiles as she meets staff at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks to schoolchildren during a visit to Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex meeting staff and students in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia this morning
Edward was criticised for his ‘disinterest’ in Gaston Browne’s speech by anti-monarchist campaigners, after he was seen nervously laughing when asked to respond.
The earl joked that he had not been taking notes during Mr Browne’s opening remarks, so could not respond to all the points he had made. The prime minister did not laugh at the comment.
Sophie and Edward initially experienced the warmest welcome they had received on their Caribbean tour during a walkabout in the town of Soufriere, with one man saying to Edward: ‘I salute you, my prince.’
The earl spoke to a road sweeper with a broom who was standing in front of the small crowd, and joked ‘I hope you keep this lot in order’ while pretending to wave the broom. Sophie and Edward were cheered as they left the area.
The couple arrived at the Main Jetty in Soufriere by boat on Wednesday ahead of a busy schedule of engagements.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex waves at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia this morning
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia this morning
The Countess of Wessex smiles as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The, Countess of Wessex waves next to Edward at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex walk through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex walk through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today during the tour
The Earl and Countess of Wessex smile as they stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Sophie, Countess of Wessex walks through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren gather for the royal visit today at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex walks through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The Countess of Wessex smiles next to her husband Prince Edward at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The countess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a boy named Carlos Baptise, 11, who has a spinal injury called congenital scoliosis.
The couple then travelled past the small group of protesters to the Fond Doux Cocoa Plantation where they learned about the contribution of cocoa to Saint Lucia’s economy.
The countess had a go at grinding cocoa beans before meeting representatives from female-led businesses to hear about the impact of Covid-19 on trade and tourism.
She also tried painting a purse at one of the stations, while the earl was taken to where the cocoa beans are dried in the sun.
The pair then visited Sulphur Springs, where they were told about the history and evolution of the volcano. The countess put her hand in the water and said: ‘It’s as warm as a hot bath.’
Sophie and Edward then had lunch with Saint Lucia’s prime minister before travelling to Soufriere’s Mini Stadium, where the earl and countess watched a performance celebrating the island’s young people.
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex smiles next to her husband Prince Edward at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex walk through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex smiles next to her husband Prince Edward at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren gather for the royal visit today at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Schoolchildren gather for the royal visit today at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren gather for the royal visit today at Camille Henry Memorial School at Castries in Saint Lucia
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex walk through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex waves as she meets staff and students at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
Children perform for the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia this morning
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex walk through an area of Camille Henry Memorial School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex stand on stage today at Camille Henry Memorial School in Castries, Saint Lucia
The couple joined in with dancers as they both waved small Saint Lucian flags.
They then met and posed for photos with youngsters from a number of schools, including Soufriere’s infant, primary, comprehensive and special education schools.
Meanwhile, the Queen looked on cheery form today as she held a face-to-face audience with the president of Switzerland at Windsor Castle – her first official engagement since a week-long break on the Sandringham estate.
The monarch smiled broadly as she shook hands and posed for photographs with Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola in her Oak Room sitting room.
Yesterday evening, her second son, the disgraced Duke of York, was stripped of his Freedom of York by councillors in the city, amid further calls for him to have his dukedom removed.
The Queen returned to her Berkshire castle a day ago after staying at the late Duke of Edinburgh’s Wood Farm cottage where she celebrated her 96th birthday.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Castries, St Lucia, today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex speaks at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl Wessex speaks to staff and students at Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex sits on a stage at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Castries, St Lucia, today
The Earl of Wessex speaks during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Prince Edward speaks during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex meeting staff and students at a school in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Castries, St Lucia, today
The Countess of Wessex applauds while at Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Schoolchildren at the Patricia D James Secondary School in Castries, St Lucia, today
The Earl and Countess of Wessex sit on stage during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie smiles during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Edward and Sophie stand during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Sophie, Countess of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex meeting staff and students at Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex at Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Prince Edward makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
The Countess of Wessex speaks to staff and students at Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex makes a speech during a visit to the Patricia D James Secondary School in Saint Lucia today
She stood without her walking stick and was dressed in a blue and grey paisley-style patterned silk dress for the audience on Thursday.
She was wearing her fruit-themed sapphire and diamond grapes brooch, which features a sapphire bow and 16 small diamonds shaped like a bunch of grapes. It was inherited from the Queen Mother.
Buckingham Palace said the sovereign is hoping to attend the State Opening of Parliament in less than two weeks’ time, on May 10, but confirmation is expected closer to the time or on the day.
Her high-profile Platinum Jubilee celebrations are just over a month away. The Queen, who has experienced mobility issues in recent months, has opened Parliament on all but two occasions during her reign.
The exceptions were in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with Andrew and then Prince Edward, when her speech was read by the Lord Chancellor.
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