THE Prince of Wales will be visiting Guernsey later this month during the island’s celebration of 800 years of allegiance to the English Crown. HRH Prince Charles will make his one-day visit on Wednesday 23 June, nine years since his previous one in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of the Liberation.

The news was announced by the Lt-Governor’s office yesterday.

‘I am very pleased that His Royal Highness has accepted the invitation to visit us during a year when we are focusing on the island’s special relationship with the Crown,’ said Sir John Foley.

‘Although it is not a public holiday, we are expecting that many islanders will want to take the opportunity to welcome the Prince of Wales and his programme will allow for him to meet a wide cross-section of our island community during his short stay.’

He will attend a ceremony at Castle Cornet where Bailiwick dignitaries will affirm the island’s loyalty to the Crown.

He will also inspect ancient Royal charters on display at the Guernsey Museum at Candie.

The 1204 working party chairman, Claire Le Pelley, said that the group was delighted to welcome Prince Charles to the island in recognition of the 800-year celebration.

‘We are particularly pleased he will be visiting the charters exhibition as these documents are a direct link to his ancestors,’ said Deputy Le Pelley.

His programme also includes a presentation by school pupils at Beau Sejour.

More islanders and representatives of organisations to which he is linked will have the chance to meet him at a buffet lunch. He will then take a trip to Herm – making him the first British royal family member to visit the island – before returning to the UK.

A more detailed programme of his visit will be announced shortly before his arrival.

Prince Charles is currently in the news due to comments by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, that he should marry Camilla Parker Bowles.

His mention of their relationship in his new autobiography is said to have ‘intensely irritated’ the couple.

Prince Charles was in Normandy at the weekend for the D-Day commemorations, visiting locations of particular significance and also meeting veterans.

During his most recent visit to Guernsey, he attended a special service at Beau Sejour and met islanders gathered outside before unveiling the Liberation Monument at the Weighbridge.

He also visited Sark where he enjoyed sampling the traditional way of life and urged the island not to change.