Everything is ready for the royal visit.
One of the most famous royal couples in the world is coming to Croatia on Monday. Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Zagreb and Osijek during their two-day stay in Croatia, reports tportal.hr on March 12, 2016.
Immediately upon their arrival in Zagreb, they will meet with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović. After the welcoming ceremony and the exchange of gifts, brief official talks will be held. Among the gifts which the president will give to the royal couple are a painting and vintage wine from the Ilok cellars that have been served at the coronation ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth II. Discussion topics cannot include those which are covered with by the United Kingdom government, so they will likely talk about cultural heritage, tourism and reconstruction after the war. That means that Brexit will not be discussed.
In addition to their meeting with the president, Prince Charles and the Duchess will visit the Upper Town, where they will arrive via a funicular car. They will be informed about the process of reconstruction of the Banski Dvori palace, the seat of the government, after the rocket attack in 1991. In Banski Dvori, they will meet with Prime Minister Tihomir Orešković. Afterwards, they will go to the Croatian National Theatre, where a special program will be organized to mark the occasion.
The president, who is hosting the visit, will organize a dinner at her office at Pantovčak, which will include numerous well-known dignitaries from Croatian public life. It is expected that more than 60 guests will come to the dinner. In the spirit of unity, President Grabar Kitarović has invited opposition leaders Zoran Milanović and Vesna Pusić, as well as other former senior officials, prime ministers and ministers. Milanović has already excused himself due to previously arranged engagements, while Vesna Pusić has yet to respond.
On the second day of the visit, the royal couple will travel to Osijek, where they will have another series of meetings, and Prince Charles plans to see the Kopački Rit Nature Park. The Duchess of Cornwall will visit the farm of Lipizzans in Đakovo, which Queen Elizabeth visited in 1972.
The Croatian leg of their regional tour will conclude with the reception marking the 70th anniversary of the British Council in Croatia at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb. There will be no press statements, as this is a tradition the royal family has long observed.
