Prince Charles was overcome with emotion as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, which honors soldiers who died during World Wars I and II, during an official visit to Singapore.
The Prince of Wales and Camilla arrived in Singapore on Tuesday for the first stop of an 11-day trip to strengthen ties between Britain and Asian countries.
They received a ceremonial welcome to kick off a visit to the Southeast Asian island nation in which they will have an orchid named after them and be hosted at a state banquet by Singapore’s president, Halimah Yacob.
Charles last visited Singapore in 1979. He met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, which honors soldiers who died during World Wars I and II.
Prince Charles was overcome with emotion at the World War One memorial cenotaph in Singapore. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a royal visit to Singapore before travelling to Malaysia and India
Prince Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph during a memorial event on day two of the Royal visit to Singapore
Prince Charles and Camilla pause for a moment of silence during a memorial event at the Cenotaph on day two of their visit to Singapore
Singapore was a British colony and a valuable trading port. Thousands of soldiers from countries such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand died when Japanese troops moved swiftly down the Malay Peninsula in early 1942.
It was on Feb. 15, 1942, after a week of fierce, last-ditch fighting, that British Lt.-Gen. Arthur Ernest Percival surrendered Singapore and hostilities ceased.
The British returned after the war. Still, locals pushed for self-rule, and Singapore became independent in 1965.
‘This visit reaffirms the historic and long-standing relationship between Singapore and the United Kingdom,’ Singapore’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
(L-R) Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall and Alex Moore, wife of the Defence Attache, attended the memorial ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial
Prince Charles inspects the Guard of Honour upon arriving at the Presidential Palace in Singapore
Prince Charles attended a welcome ceremony with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob
Camilla looked glamorous in a mint green dress, which she brightened up with a floral scarf
The couple look forlorn as they observe a minute’s silence at the World War One memorial cenotaph in Singapore
Prince Charles stood for the national anthem with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob, during the welcome ceremony at the Istana or Presidential Palace in Singapore
A glamorous Duchess of Cornwall attends a Commonwealth Literacy event at Temasek Junior College in Bedok, Singapore
Prince Charles was the main attraction as he spoke to members of the public after laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Singapore
Members of the public clambered over each other to shake the Prince’s hand
Camilla looked refreshed and glamorous as she arrived in Singapore. She and her husband are on a tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and India
The royal couple leaves for Malaysia on Thursday. They’ll cap off their Asia tour with visits to Brunei and India.
British media reported that Myanmar was considered for the trip but was excluded from the itinerary.
The mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of minority Muslim Rohingya amid violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has become a major humanitarian crisis, with Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi facing heavy international criticism.
The Duchess of Cornwall shakes hands and speaks with veterans after a memorial ceremony at The Cenotaph war memorial
Camilla attends a Commonwealth Literacy event at Temasek Junior College and inspects their arts and crafts
Prince Charles inspects honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Istana
Prince Charles attends a welcome ceremony with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob at the Istana or Presidential Palace in Singapore
A dapper Charles walks in front of Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob as they inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony
Prince Charles stands for the national anthem with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob
Prince Charles is in high spirits as he meets Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana in Singapore
The royal couple looked delighted to meet Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, center right, and his wife Ho Ching
Prince Charles meets Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob at the Istana in Singapore during their visit