President Lennart Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in London today. The meeting with Prince Charles at his home, St. James Palace, lasted longer than planned.

On the meeting, the relations between Estonia and Great Britain were discussed. The President spoke of the homebuilding of the young Estonian families, a subject that is also actual today in the UK, especially in the South-East of England. The respective programmes had been announced the day before by Deputy Prime Minister Prescott. Also wildlife preservation, and more specifically the deep-sea port planned to Saaremaa, was discussed on the meeting. Prince Charles and President Meri agreed that the beauty of architecture lies in the practical use of the buildings, and that the harmony between the houses and their environment is an important aesthetic aspect, as the new settlements must grow like forest, where every tree has its own character and a specific role in the association.

President of the Republic invited the Prince of Wales to visit Estonia.

In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Helle Meri visited the newly renovated Royal Opera House at Covent Garden.

On Friday, President Meri will hold a speech at the Royal Institute of the United Services, and tomorrow night, the President will confer the III Class Order of the Cross of St Mary's Land on Professor Michael Branch, Head of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, and the V Class Order of the National Coat of Arms on Albert Miilmaa, the upholder of Estonian spirit in England and a member of the Estonian Home Club of Bradford, on the ceremony ''Estonia Thanks 2000'' held at the Embassy of Estonia.

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