Charles and Camilla tour Old Havana on first full day of historic Cuba visit

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall began the first full day of their historic visit to Cuba today with a guided tour of Old Havana.

The couple touched down in the Cuban capital last night to start a four-day tour of the island, the first ever by a member of the British royal family.

Yesterday Charles laid a wreath at the monument in Havana’s Revolution Square to José Martí, Cuba’s national figurehead who became a symbol of the country’s bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century.

The royal couple were then given a tour of the museum inside the monument dedicated to Martí, where curator Eva Maria Diaz told them about the writer’s life and the history of Havana, which prompted Charles to point out that Britain had once occupied the city during the 18th century — “briefly”.

As they left he told her: “I am sorry to have dragged you in on a Sunday. I hope it is not inconvenient for you.”

Charles and Camilla flew in to Cuba from Barbados on a RAF Voyager in what is believed to be the first time an RAF plane has landed in Communist Cuba.

The prince’s visit offers an opportunity for the UK and Cuban governments to forge closer ties. Later today, Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta, who was a member of the Royal Ballet for 17 years, will welcome the couple to his dance company where they will watch two performances. Other highlights include a visit to the Rafael Trejo gym, where many Olympic boxing champions have trained, and a meeting with musicians from Buena Vista Social Club.