Royals like to have fun, too! Case in point: In the midst of their historical trip to Cuba, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla took a break from touring the sights on island nation and tried their hands at slinging some drinks.
More specifically, the royal pair spent a portion of their final day in Cuba on Wednesday, March 27, visiting a “paladar” – a type of private restaurant that is becoming increasingly popular in the country.
Guided by Eddy Fernandez, president of the Cuban Culinary Association, the Prince of Wales, 70, and Duchess of Cornwall, 71, watched a mojito-making demonstration. In fact, Prince Charles even practiced traditional sugar cane grinding with a small hand mill. The sugar is then used in the rum-based cocktail, which also features lime juice, soda water and mint. The drink is very popular in Cuba and the surrounding areas.
After the lesson, the couple stepped behind the bar and attempted to put their newfound bartending knowledge to the test by making mojitos of their own. Thankfully, Charles and Camilla had a little help from the restaurant’s owner, Diana Figuero, who showed the royals how to muddle the mint and mix in the other ingredients in order to perfect the famous Caribbean cocktail.
Earlier in the day, the prince and duchess also viewed a variety of Cuban specialties, including moro y cristianos, rice made with black beans, and tostones, pieces of stuffed plantain often filled with ham and cheese. “They were exposed to the multicultural character and evolution of our cuisine,” said Ariel Causa, the director of a company promoting the Cuban restaurant industry, according to a statement on the Prince of Wales’ website. “That fills me with joy.”
Charles and Camilla’s trip to Cuba, which marked the first time members of the British royal family visited the country in an official capacity, included a handful of other food-related moments as well. For example, also on Wednesday, Camilla tried Cuban cheese. Earlier in the tour, which included stops in other Caribbean countries, including Grenada, she sampled some local chocolate.
Next up on the itinerary for Charles and Camilla is a brief jaunt to Grand Cayman before they head home on Friday, March 29.
