Prince Andrew visits Arizona to promote UK relations

Max Jarman, Lynh Bui and Jane Larson
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 13, 2008 12:00 AM

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, made the rounds at Arizona businesses from Superior to Scottsdale on Tuesday to promote trade between Arizona and the United Kingdom.

The UK is the state's sixth-largest international trading partner. In 2006 the U.S. Commerce Department reported that Arizona sold $803 million worth of goods to the UK.

Andrew, the second son of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, ended his day with a reception at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and a meeting with Gov. Janet Napolitano.

There are more than 40 British companies operating in Arizona with more than 4,500 employees.

In Superior, 60 miles east of Phoenix, the prince viewed the progress of an underground copper mine being developed there by Resolution Copper Mining LLC. Resolution is a venture of London's Rio Tinto Group, one of the world's largest mining concerns.

Followed by two black SUVs full of Secret Service agents, Prince Andrew was given a tour of the rugged mine site before being briefed by Resolution Copper President John Rickus.

"I hope the prince can understand that this is not just about the major financial importance, but there is a social impact that is important to our town, as well," Superior Mayor Michael Hing said.

Later, the younger brother of Prince Charles flew in a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter to Deer Valley Airport and a tour of Honeywell Aerospace's north Phoenix facility.

Honeywell is a key contractor on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. for the Air Force, Navy and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.

The prince, fourth in line to the throne, served in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 2001 and saw military action in the 1982 Falklands War.

At Honeywell, he met with Honeywell Aerospace President Rob Gillette and several other executives.

Honeywell has eight facilities in the UK that employ 1,300 people.

"It was very much a business meeting," Honeywell spokeswoman Karen Crabtree said.

In Scottsdale, the prince visited domain-name registrar Go Daddy Group Inc., which is said to be considering opening an office in Great Britain.

Prince Andrew serves as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment.

At Go Daddy, he met privately with Warren Adelman, president and chief operating officer, before touring the company's headquarters at the Scottsdale Airpark.

"I'm always delighted to speak to companies looking to invest in the UK," the prince said in a statement.

"I'd be equally delighted to see Go Daddy join that list and bring its Internet expertise to Britain." Metro Phoenix is part of a 10-day tour during which Prince Andrew will visit seven cities and attend about 50 meetings and social engagements, including the Biltmore reception.

The prince made a similar visit to the Valley in 2005, when he met with Napolitano and attended a Florence Crittenton fundraising lunch at the Biltmore.

His sister, Princess Anne, visited in 1997 and saw a Herberger Theatre performance.