Prince Charles to visit Galapagos Islands on South American tour

Published on Friday 13 February 2009 20:59

THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit the Galapagos Islands as part of a tour of South America, Clarence House announced yesterday.

The royal couple will travel to the famed islands whose wildlife was studied by the scientist Charles Darwin.

The prince and his wife will also visit Chile, Brazil and mainland Ecuador during their ten-day tour next month to promote environmental sustainability, raise awareness of climate change and strengthen Britain's relations with the nations.

A senior Clarence House spokesman said: "Their royal highnesses' visit is timed particularly to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin of Species and the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos National Park."

Earlier this week conservationists called for a curb on tourism to the islands as the rising numbers have led to a boom in hotel construction and a surge in imports from mainland Ecuador.