Press pass for Jamaica royal visit

Prince Harry is expected to arrive in Jamaica today for a three-day visit on behalf of his grandmother The Queen.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday March 5, 2012 – Jamaica media personnel will receive equal treatment during the royal visit of Prince Harry that starts today.

Information Minister, Ms. Sandrea Falconer intervened early yesterday morning on the treatment of the Jamaican Press during the visit, and made it clear that they will all be provided with safety vests and bus assistance to adequately cover the visit.

This follows initial plans which excluded provisions for the local media, and which required them to provided their own safety vests for the airport.

However, the minister explained that neither she nor Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller were briefed on the decisions of the organizing committee about the Prince’s visit.

She stressed that the local press was important to Jamaica’s democracy and therefore must be treated with equal respect as that shown to members of the international press.

To this end, it was also announced that press vehicles with accredited staff will have stickers affixed to the vehicles so they could be easily recognized by lawmen and given ease of access.

Prince Harry is expected to arrive in Jamaica today for a three-day visit on behalf of his grandmother The Queen, in celebration of her 60th anniversary Jubilee.

During his visit, the Prince is expected to visit the University of the West Indies, the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Victoria Jubilee Hospital; and the Rise Life NGO in central Kinston.

He is also expected to visit the North Coast when he will see the historic Falmouth town, Good Hope Great House and attend an event at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel.

The Prince is also expected to take part in military exercises at Up Park Camp alongside soldiers of the Jamaica Defence Force.

The visit has attracted significant international attention, and is seen as an opportunity to how off the country’s tourism and investment markets. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)