Charles and Camilla to make history with royal trip to Cuba

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will make a historic visit to Cuba next month as the UK government continues "frank and open" discussions about the country's human rights record.

Clarence House confirmed they will be the first members of the Royal Family to carry out an official trip to the country as they revealed details of the couple's spring tour to the Caribbean from 17 to 29 March.

A palace spokesperson said: "Their royal highnesses' visit to St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent and The Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada will celebrate the monarchy's relationship with these Commonwealth realms.

"Furthermore, at the request of the British government, their royal highnesses will also visit Cuba to highlight the growing bilateral relationship with the UK and showcase some of the cultural links between the two countries.

"Their royal highnesses will also visit the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands to celebrate its place within the British family."

Cuba has been criticised by organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International for its poor human rights record, lack of free speech and detaining activists.

Explaining why they had agreed to the royal visit, a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "There was an invitation to the Prince of Wales when the (Cuban) president visited the UK back in November, and the British government requested that their royal highnesses accept the invitation.

"This is part of our longstanding approach towards Cuba of engagement and open and frank dialogue over the issues that divide us like human rights, but also the engagement towards progress on the matters that bridge us together."

Asked if it was anticipated that human rights would be something the Prince of Wales would raise specifically, the spokesman added: "Human rights is a subject that we discuss government to government with the Cubans. We've done so regularly over the years and we continue to do so, there is also an EU dialogue with the Cubans which we support."

Prime Minister Theresa May has not visited Cuba.

Philip Hammond visited in 2016 when he was foreign secretary, and the Foreign Office says there have been regular ministerial visits since.

The full itinerary for their visit to Cuba has not been announced, but will primarily be based in Havana and involve meeting the President Miguel Diaz-Canel and focus on engagements looking at environmental issues and Cuba's vibrant culture.

It's understood there are currently no plans to meet Raul Castro, the first secretary of the communist party of Cuba and brother of Fidel Castro.

All royal visits are made at the request of the government and the Foreign Office.

The destinations chosen for royal tours are an indicator of which countries the UK government want to keep on side and promote closer ties with.

The "soft power" of the Royal Family is seen as an important diplomatic tool that can open doors that politicians cannot.

Now that the Queen no longer carries out overseas tours, any visits carried out by her heir, the Prince of Wales, are now seen to have an increased significance.

On a recent visit to the Supreme Court in London, the prince and duchess let slip that they were looking forward to their trip to Cuba.

Speaking after the visit, Baroness Hale, the president of the Supreme Court, said: "It will be quite an event for members of the Royal Family to visit Cuba.

"She said she loved the music and was interested in the architecture. And she did make a remark about she wasn't so sure about the food."