Prince Edward visited the British HMS Duncan destroyer in Split's port on Thursday, where, joined by officials of the Croatian armed forces, NATO ambassadors, and Croatia's Culture Minister, Nina Obuljen-Korzinek, he marked the tenth anniversary of Croatia's NATO membership and NATO's 70th anniversary.

The HMS Duncan, moored in Split for several days now, has a crew of 280, displacement of 8,000 tonnes and can sail at speeds of up to 30 knots.

This year the UK will participate in NATO’s Immediate Response exercise in Croatia, while in late summer, the armies of the two countries will hold their sixth joint exercise Sava Star.

This is Prince Edward’s first official visit to Croatia. Prince Charles had visited several times, Princess Anne visited the country in 2009, and Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1972.

Eleventh in the British royal line of succession, the 55-year old prince had arrived on a two-day visit to Split on Thursday.