Charles and Camilla on first official visit to Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Britain’s Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be travelling to Penang, Perak and Sarawak during their maiden visit to Malaysia next month.

Their first official visit here is part of an 11-day tour of South-East Asia that will include Singapore and India.

“On Nov 3, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will start their visit to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

“Key events in the programme include a gala dinner celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties between Britain and Malaysia, attended by senior dignitaries as well as key figures from business, arts, culture and media,” said the British High Commission in a statement yesterday.

The programme includes a celebration of the Commonwealth in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Summits to be held in Britain next year and in Malaysia in 2020.

The Prince and Duchess will then head to Sarawak and Perak, where they will see firsthand the work being done to promote wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity.

“Their Royal Highnesses will also meet members of Sarawak’s diverse indigenous communities.

“Also, the Duchess will meet with representatives of Purple Lily, an NGO committed to inspiring and empowering disadvantaged women and young girls by providing life skills training and financial education,” the statement said.

The visit will end in Penang, which was originally named Prince of Wales Island.

“The Prince and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet members of different religious and ethnic communities who live side by side in the Unesco World Heritage site and to experience the rich cultural heritage,” said the High Commission.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell said the visit would undoubtedly be the highlight of the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic ties.

“We are also very pleased that their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet Malaysians and experience the rich cultural diversity and heritage here,” she said.