Charles and Camilla planning visit to India

He and the Duchess of Cornwall will tour India for nine days to promote strong UK-India partnerships in key areas like education, conservation and growing business links.

Charles and Camilla have made three official visits to the country, the last in 2010 when the Prince opened the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. But this will be their most extensive, with the couple travelling to Dehradun, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kochi, where they will meet political and business leaders.

Highlights of the trip include the Prince making an off-road trip into an “elephant corridor” in Kerala, and the royal couple attending a gala dinner in Mumbai with a Bollywood flavour.

They will tour India from November 6-14 and then travel to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth summit, staying in the country until November 16.

Charles and Camilla will attend the official opening ceremony and a dinner, hosted by the Prince, for the leaders. At both events Charles will give a speech.

While in Sri Lanka, the couple will also carry out a programme of official engagements including a visit to a mental health initiative, a hospital and a tea estate.

The Queen is missing the summit for the first time since 1973 after Buckingham Palace said it was reviewing the amount of long-haul travel undertaken by the 87-year-old.