Prince Charles will indulge in his favourite game -- polo -- during his weeklong visit to India starting October 28.
Rest of his itinerary, however, is a closely guarded secret given the demands of security. A Ministry of Home Affairs official told rediff.com 'watertight' security arrangements have been made for the visit.
A Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had extended the invitation to the prince.
The British high commission in a press release said the prince will have public engagements on conservation and restoration, youth entrepreneurship projects, sustainable development initiatives and charitable work.
The lack of information about Prince Charles's schedule has led to a lot of speculation about the places he would visit.
Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan are supposed to be on his itinerary. In fact, Charles during his 1992 visit to Rajasthan had raved about the fabulous royal palaces in Jaipur.
A government official told rediff.com that the prince had been touched by the numerous tales of valour and sacrifice by Rajasthan's royalty.
Significantly, Charles's parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, have held Rajasthan dear to their hearts.
During their visit to Jaipur in the early 1960s, the queen and duke had strengthened their friendship with Rajmata Gayatri Devi.
© 2024 Rediff.com -