Prince Henry, GG and Lady Allen Visit Hospitals

Their Excellencies the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and the Most Hon. Lady Allen accompanied His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales to the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital on Tuesday March 6. These are among a series of events that The Prince participated in on the occasion of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

On his visit to the Bustamante Hospital, Prince Henry toured the Orthopaedic Ward, the Medical Wardand the Learning and Activity Centre where agroup of children from the hospital rendered a warm welcome in song. He also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit. At the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, he met senior members of staff. He also unveiled a sculpture entitled The Circle of Life done by renowned Jamaican artist Basil Watson.

The Bustamante Hospital for Children was established in November 1963 as the nation’s specialist paediatric ward at the Kingston Public Hospital. It was later transferred to the present location. The facility was formerly a British Military Hospital as was handed over to the Jamaican government after the country gained independence in 1962. The Victoria Jubilee hospital was established in 1887, during the celebration of the jubilee anniversary (50^th year of her reign) of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and started operating in 1891.

This year marks the 60^th year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign. Prince Henry will participate in various events marking his grandmother’s Diamond Jubilee as Jamaica’s queen regnant, first as Queen of the United Kingdom, between 1952 and 1962, and subsequently as Queen of Jamaica.

The Queen came to the throne on 6^th February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. Incidentally Jamaica will be celebrating 50 years of independence.

King’s House is the official home of visiting members of the royal family and Prince Henry is a guest of Their Excellencies. Governor-General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen will hosted a dinner at King’s House as a combined celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and Jamaica’s 50^th anniversary of independence.

On Wednesday March 7, The Prince is scheduled to participate in a military exercise with the Jamaica Defence Force. He will also visit the Trelawny parish where he will tour the Falmouth Pier and the William Knibb Baptist Church, where he is to pay respect at the William Knibb memorial. He will conclude the Trelawny leg with a visit to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Water Square and tour of the Good Hope Great House. A Jamaica Night reception will be held at the Royal Caribbean Hotel in Montego Bay.  Prince Henry will leave Jamaica on Thursday, March 8.