MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Prince Charles in Galapagos to honour Darwin’s theory on evolution

Prince Charles and his wife Camila during his Latam tour

The Prince of Wales has visited Ecuador over the weekend ahead of a tour of the world-famous Galapagos Islands. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall had their plane disinfected in Quito to prevent harmful organisms and germs being brought into Galapagos.

The Galapagos Islands, which Charles Darwin studied to develop his theory on evolution, are home to wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. This year marks also the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth.

The Prince's tour of South America hopes to highlight climate change.

The heir to the throne met Ecuador's vice president Lenin Moreno in Quito and a 1,000-throng crowd cheered and waving British flags in the main square.

The royal couple was taken on a tour of a stunning 17th century church called the Compañia of Jesús, where the Prince was presented with a Panama hat. (Although called Panama hats, they are originally from Ecuador).

The prince has spent more than 20 years campaigning on environmental issues.

A Clarence House spokesman said: “Their royal highness' visit is timed particularly to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin, 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species and also the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos National Park.”

Some of the well known species on the Galapagos include the land iguana, giant tortoise and Darwin's finches.

On Saturday Prince Charles danced with local women in Brazil after he travelled down the Amazon River. In Manus the Prince was honoured with the title “Friend of the Forest” by the state of Amazonas.

The annual title was for his work on climate change and his campaigning against deforestation of the rainforests and support for “sustainable” developments.

A key aim of the Royal couple visit to Brazil was to encourage the need for urgent action globally on climate change and to try to halt widespread deforestation in the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest.