With greater than usual secrecy, which was reflected in very little official information and on social media, the UK Defence Minister arrived in the Malvina Islands yesterday between 4 and 5 pm.
Within a little less than 24 hours, Luke Pollard attended meetings, a luncheon, a church service and paid tribute to those who fell during the First World War.
Upon his arrival, the minister took part in a “community meeting” at the colonial government headquarters. This can be seen in several protocol images uploaded to the X network by “Malvinas Radio” at 6:25 pm yesterday Saturday.
Armed Forces Minister, @LukePollard is currently meeting members of the public at a Community Reception at @GHMalvinas pic.twitter.com/YNYcC3cw6j
This morning, he met with Governor Alison Blake, then attended a religious service at the Anglican Cathedral and at midday led the ceremony for “Remembrance Day” , where every second Sunday in November, the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War is commemorated “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.
Her Excellency, alongside the visiting Minister for the Armed Forces, Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, laid a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice for Remembrance Sunday.
We will remember them.#RemembranceSunday #Malvinas pic.twitter.com/raYFMA9NAH
It is not yet known whether the minister visited the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, anchored since Thursday 7 in the bay of Puerto Argentino. Nor is it known how long the ship was in the archipelago, or the reasons for his presence.