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Royal Visit to Morocco

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall concluded today their Official three-day Visit to Morocco

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

HRH Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall

The visit included events in Rabat and Fez. The programme focused on bilateral relations, support for British companies and their work on corporate social and environmental responsibility, interfaith dialogue, and climate change.

The Prince of Wales’s visit to Errachidia on Tuesday 05 April was cancelled due to bad weather, as high winds meant it was not possible for the pilot to guarantee a safe landing for the aircraft in Errachidia. Alternative engagements were arranged in Rabat.

On their first day in Rabat, Their Royal Highnesses were guests of His Majesty the King of Morocco, who received them for a meeting and an official dinner. Their Royal Highnesses also visited the Moroccan 1st Parachute Infantry Brigade and visits to the Hassan Mausoleum, where they laid two wreaths on the tombs of the late Kings Mohammed V and Hassan II. The programme in Rabat also included an event at the National Library that focused on the work of British companies and their work in Morocco on corporate social and environmental responsibility; as well as cultural events at the Villa des Arts.

HRH The Prince of Wales had a meeting during the second day of the visit with Amina Benkhadra, Morocco’s Minister for Energy, Mining, Water and Environment, and with Abdeladim Lhafi, High Commissioner for Water, Forests and Desertification Control. His Royal Highness asked about Morocco’s efforts to protect the environment, develop renewable energies and stop desertification.
TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall also visited the Kasbah of Oudaya and Chellah necropolis, both of which are of significant historical and architectural interest.

His Royal Highness also visited the offices of the British Council in Rabat to learn more about the range of projects Council is implementing. Their Royal Highnesses ended the day with a reception at the Residence of the British Ambassador to Morocco for the British community in Morocco and Commonwealth Ambassadors.

In the historic city of Fez, Their Royal Highnesses undertook engagements related to interfaith dialogue and culture. Their Royal highnesses visited the Artisanal Training Centre where they witnessed the richness of Moroccan craftsmanship and patrimony. They met young people who are learning traditional Moroccan skills including plasterwork, carpentry and embroidery.

Later, His Royal Highness visited the Library of the prestigious and respected Al Qarawiyin University where HRH saw firsthand a number of historic and unique manuscripts before meeting a group of young students and senior Islamic scholars. They discussed contemporary issues relating to religion and inter-faith dialogue.

His Royal Highness also a paid a visit to the Dana Synaguogue in Fez where he met members of the Jewish community in Morocco. It was an occasion to learn about the centuries of peaceful cohabitation of Jews and Muslims in Fez and across Morocco. Afterwards, His Royal Highness visited the Batha Museum where he attended a cultural event with a Sufi musical performance.

The visit to Morocco was part of regional tour which included Portugal, and Spain. This was the third visit of HRH The Prince of Wales to Morocco and was an opportunity to promote the rapidly growing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Published 6 April 2011