Havana, March 25 (RHC)--The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Havana on Sunday, in the first visit ever to Cuba by members of the British royal family in an official capacity. Prince Charles and Camilla's trip is expected to usher in a new chapter in the UK's relationship with the Caribbean island.

On Monday, the couple will be welcomed by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who will join them in a tour of Old Havana, included in 1982 by UNESCO on its list of World Heritage Sites.

The agenda of the distinguished guests also includes attending an artistic gala at the Alicia Alonso Theater, and a visit to the Mariel Special Development Zone for the ceremony to begin construction of a British -sponsored of a photovoltaic park.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will also hold talks with entrepreneurs from the private sector and members of the British classic car club, will tour community and art centers and will be interested in actions in Cuba on urban agriculture, combating domestic violence, preservation of the environment and patrimonial restoration.

Upon their arrival, the couple attended a wreath-laying ceremony for Cuba's national hero, the essayist and poet Jose Marti. Later this week they will be joined by Commonwealth Minister Lord Ahmad, who is flying to the country to represent the UK government.

Although the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom and his wife do not represent a government visit, his arrival is considered by London and Havana an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties.

These ties have been driven by the visit to Cuba in 2016 of then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Philip Hammond (current Minister of Finance) and the recent transit visit to the European country of President Diaz-Canel. The royal couple arrived from Barbados, one of five Commonwealth realms they have visited. St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have also featured on their tour.