BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Britain's Prince Charles arrived in Bucharest Wednesday at the start of a nine-day tour to Romania, Italy and Austria that was seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations that Britain remains a close ally.

Charles arrived in the Romanian capital on the same day British Prime Minister Theresa May launched the Brexit process. President Klaus Iohannis greeted the prince at the 17th century Cotroceni presidential palace and will give him the Order of the Star of Romania, an award for exceptional service to Romania.

Charles' website said his tour would "highlight the U.K.'s relationship with European partners in areas including social cohesion, military ties and combatting human trafficking."

The prince regularly visits Romania and owns two properties in Transylvania. In 2015, he set up The Prince of Wales Foundation Romania, a charity that supports the East European nation's heritage, rural life and sustainable development.

He leaves Romania on Friday and will stop next in Italy. Charles' wife, Camilla, is expected to accompany him to Italy and Austria.