Prince Andrew inaugurated the new buildings of the British Embassy and British Council in Sofia, and called on British investors during his three-day visit to Bulgaria which began last Wednesday. The presence of a member of the royal family is a tradition at the opening of a British mission abroad.

The second son of Queen Elizabeth II spent about an hour in the British Embassy building. During his tour, the prince paid most attention to the commercial section of the embassy, showing interest in its business projects.

The Duke of York later unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the embassy at 9 Moskovska Street. He said that the UK gives Bulgaria its unreserved support, an evidence of which is the new building.

A reception at the British ambassador's residence followed, after which Prince Andrew met his distant relative, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg.

Music from the fiddles and bagpipes of Scottish band Deaf Shepherd met the prince at the entrance of the new British Council building Thursday afternoon. He was led through the library, study rooms and multimedia centre.

Companies with substantial British investment in their capital were principal stops in Prince Andrew's schedule on Friday. As a representative of British Trade International since October 1, he came with a mission to promote British trade and investment overseas.

He visited a mine in Chelopech, 75km east of Sofia. The Chelopech mine was managed since 1993 by the British company Navan Mining through a joint venture. In July 1997, Navan Mining privatized 75 per cent of the Chelopech mining company. Since then, the British company has invested about $30 million.

The next stop for the prince was Sofia Water in Bistritsa, 75 per cent of which is owned by Britain's International Water and 25 per cent by the Sofia Municipality.

Members of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) conferred with Prince Andrew over lunch on Friday. The forum is affiliated with the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum.