Prince William to visit Australian disaster zones
Prince William will represent Queen Elizabeth II in his visit to Australia later this month.
Prince William will go on official trip from March 17 to 21, a little over a month before his wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, and intends to make Australia his second stop before heading back to Britain for more preparations for the Royal Wedding.
The St. James Palace said that the 28-year-old Prince is visiting Australia to show 'solidarity and compassion for the victims of the string of disasters' that have plagued Australian communities early this year.
"The royal family have been watching the natural disasters with the same shock and sadness as everyone else," a spokesman of St. James Palace was quoted telling the Britain's Press Association by the Agence France Presse.
The Palace spokesman also said that Prince William will be traveling in hopes to meet the flood victims and thank emergency and support workers who were part in the disaster and rescue operations at the height of the incident.
The Prince’s visit to Australia was scheduled following invitations from Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
According to AFP report, Prince William is planning on spending two days to visit cyclone-ravaged areas of Queensland from March 19 to 20.
After his visit to Queensland, the Prince will be travelling to Northwest Victoria, which was severely hit by flood in January. The Prince is then expected to leave on March 21.
The disasters in Australia had killed at least 35 people, leaving thousands of homes and business establishments swamped in the worst-hit areas, said AFP.
The Prince’s visit, said Queensland Premier Anna Bligh can help the state pump up its struggling tourism industry.
"I hope that he sends the message back to his friends and colleagues in the U.K. that Queensland is open for business and that while he's here he gets an opportunity to see that himself," Bligh was quoted telling the state parliament, according to AFP.
Bligh’s statement was resounded by Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, who said that the Prince’s visit "will provide immense support and comfort to communities and families stricken by these floods".
Prince William will be representing Queen Elizabeth II, who has remained as the official head of state of Australia, a former British colony and member of the Commonwealth. He last visited the state in January last year. The Prince will also be travelling without his future bride, Kate Middleton.