Prince Michael of Kent, member of the British Royal Family, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, pays January 28-February 1 a working visit to the Republic of Macedonia, upon an invitation by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

He is set to meet with President Gjorge Ivanov, PM Gruevski, as well as Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki and Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska.

The British Business Group in Macedonia has said Prince Michael of Kent and the British delegation will meet businessmen from the fields of agriculture, mining, pharmaceutical and automotive industry. The agenda also includes meetings with local business leaders aimed at reviewing possibilities for establishment of business cooperation and fresh British investments.

According to British Ambassador to Macedonia Christopher Yvon, the visit occurs in a year when Great Britain marks two jubilees - 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II reign and the London Olympics.

The visit of Prince Michael of Kent is the third visit by a member of the British royal family to Macedonia. Prince Charles of Wales paid a visit to Macedonia in 1998, while Prince Edward opened the new premises of the British Embassy in 2006.

Prince Michael of Kent, 69, is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside of the United Kingdom. Otherwise, he manages his own consultancy business and undertakes various commercial work around the world.