The Duchess of Cambridge wore a stunning dress for a special reception in Belize in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last night after learning about jungle survival with her husband Prince William.
Kate was pictured wearing a shimmering £2,500 pink gown by British designer, The Vampire’s Wife, which she paired with silver heeled sandals and a Mayan embroidered clutch bag, whilst William donned a blue blazer and shirt with navy trousers.
The duchess partnered the floor-length organza gown, named the Light Sleeper dress, with gold disc diamanté drop earrings and a natural make-up look.
The Vampire’s Wife, which was launched by former model Suzie Cave – wife of rock star Nick Cave – in 2014, is famed for pretty prairie dresses infused with a dose of gothic glam – and are loved by the royals including Kate, 40, who previously wore one of the label’s gowns in Dublin during a three-day tour of Ireland in March 2020.
During the reception in Belize yesterday, the Duke of Cambridge said the ‘vigilance’ needed to safeguard democracy was being tested in Ukraine as he reiterated his pledge to ‘stand with them in solidarity’.
William’s words of support came as his tour of Belize with the duchess drew to a close, and he quoted from the Queen’s 1994 address to the country’s parliament which highlighted how individuals needed to work together to safeguard freedoms.
And in a lighter moment the duke revealed his son Prince George keeps up with his parents’ international trips by sticking pins in a map.
Speaking in the shadow of the Maya ruins at Cahal Pech, near San Ignacio, at a reception hosted by the Governor General Froya Tzalam, William quoted from the Queen’s 1994 speech.
Kate was pictured wearing a shimmering £2,500 pink gown by British designer, The Vampire’s Wife, which she paired with silver heeled sandals and a Mayan embroidered clutch bag
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize, on day three of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean
The Vampire’s Wife, which was launched by former model Suzie Cave in 2014, is famed for pretty prairie dresses infused with a dose of gothic glam, and are loved by the royals including Kate, 40, who previously donned one of the label’s gowns in Dublin during a three-day tour of Ireland in March 2020
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed off their impeccable fashion taste for an evening reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The event was held at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech near the town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize, and celebrated the very best of Belizean culture
Pictured: Kate laughed with guests on Monday evening at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech
He told the guests: ‘She said ‘I am proud to associate myself with your determination that social justice and personal freedom should flourish under the rule of law.
‘It is always dangerous, however, to be complacent and to assume that democratic values will look after themselves. Vigilance in protecting them is needed’.’
In his speech delivered in the early hours, he added: ‘Her Majesty went on to say that ‘Most of all, democracy is safe-guarded by teamwork – the individual wills of all citizens, each pulling together towards the same objective’.
‘Sadly, elsewhere in the world, that vigilance is being tested today in Ukraine. Belize has joined many others in condemning the invasion and standing up for the principles of international law, peace and security.
‘Today we think of those struggling in Ukraine and we stand with them in solidarity.’
William, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have all spoken out in support of Ukraine in recent weeks, as the country battles Russian forces after President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded the country almost four weeks ago.
The duke also passed on the ‘very warmest wishes from my grandmother, the Queen of Belize’, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee’
Speaking about his son George during the reception held to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the duke said ‘We let them know where we are and he finds us on the map and puts a pin in it and shares with the others.’
The couple met community leaders, well-known Belizeans, and members of Government, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Johnny Brienco.
In his speech William also highlighted Belize’s fight against Covid telling the guests: ‘The last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic have been hugely challenging but it is reassuring to have heard from so many people that things are on the up.’
The couple will fly to Jamaica later, the next stop on their eight day tour of the Caribbean, and receive a official welcome into the country.
The duke and duchess will then travel to King’s House for a meeting with the Governor General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Linton Allen and later celebrate the sporting and musical heritage of Jamaica.
The Cambridges, who were forced to change the venue for a Belize event after opposition from local residents, face further protests with Jamaican campaigners accusing the Queen and her predecessors of perpetuating slavery.
As the country marks its 60th anniversary, a coalition of Jamaican politicians, business leaders, doctors and musicians have called in an open letter for the British monarchy to pay slavery reparations and a demonstration is expected on Tuesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also taken on a jungle survival masterclass in the Belizian jungle.
William and Kate visited the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB) on Monday, which delivers tropical environment training to troops from the UK alongside international partners, and is manned by 12 permanent staff and employs more than 100 locals.
The Duke was reunited with his former academy sergeant major at Sandhurst, who now runs the jungle unit, and he demonstrated his former army training by expertly splitting a giant palm leaf down middle to be used for shelter.
They both learnt invaluable survival tips first-hand from armed forces and drank fresh water from jungle vines.
The couple began the third date of their trip learning about the history of the ancient Mayan archaeological site of Caracol, located in the Chiquibul Forest, and took in the country’s tallest man-made structure – known as the ‘sky palace’.
The 3,000-year-old temple, built by the Maya civilisation, stood at the centre of a city – home to an estimated 150,000 people and is believed to have been occupied as early as 1200 BC.
The royal couple climbed to the top of the palace, which is hidden deep in the jungle in western Belize, close to the Guatemala border and were shown ancient Maya sculptures by the associate director of Belize’s Institute of Archaeology, Allan Moore.
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize, on day three of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean
The duchess partnered the floor-length organza gown, named the Light Sleeper dress, with gold disc diamanté drop earrings and a natural make-up look
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a special reception at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize, hosted by Froyla Tzalam, the Governor General of Belize
Pictured: William and Kate attend a special reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on March 21, 2022 in San Ignacio, Belize. The event is being held at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech and celebrates the very best of Belizean culture
The stunning floor-length dress featured a long tie at the back and accentuated waterfall sleeves
The Duchess of Cambridge was in hysterics as she spoke to the Governor General of Belize at the reception
Kate appeared to have a glass of white wine as the reception made a toast to the royal visit and the Governor General of Belize
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize, on day three of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Kate looked breathtaking in the designer shimmering pink gown, which highlighted her amazing figure
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dressed to impress at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be laughing and smiling at one another at the reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize, at the Mayan ruins in Cahal Pech, Belize, on day three of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with guests as she attends a special reception at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize, hosted by Froyla Tzalam, the Governor General of Belize
The pair stood in front of the country’s tallest man-made structure – known as the ‘sky palace’ – ready for William to make his speech
As the evening rolled in, Kate’s dress sparkled as several camera flashes went off in Cahal Pech, Belize
Kate was pictured was carrying a black and white Mayan embroidered handbag that featured an intricate flower design
Prince William spoke out against the Ukraine invasion in a speech in front of the Mayan ruins saying: ‘Belize has joined many others in condemning the invasion and standing up for the principles of international law, peace and security. We think of those struggling in Ukraine and we stand with them in solidarity’
William also told fellow guests that their son Prince George keeps up with his parents international trips by sticking pins in a map. He told guests: ‘We let them know where we are and he finds us on the map and puts a pin in it and shares with the others’
Pictured: William and Kate depart after a special reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on March 21
Pictured: The couple left the reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize with huge smiles on their faces
Pictured: The evening reception was held at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech, and celebrated the very best of Belizean culture
William and Kate raised a toast to The Queen during a special reception at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge attending a special reception at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize, hosted by Froyla Tzalam
The duchess wore metallic silver heeled-sandals with her nails painted red to match the different hues in her dress
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge laughing with guests during a special reception at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize
The Duke and Duchess visit the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB) in the which delivers tropical environment training to troops from the UK and international partners. Pictured: Kate drinks water from a vine in the forest
The duchess was pictured learning tropical forest survival techniques with the Duke of Cambridge
Mr Moore showed William and Kate around the site which featured other buildings and was amazingly discovered in the 1930s by a logger looking for mahogany.
He told them: ‘It’s like looking at the inside of Buckingham Palace. This is just a small fraction of what we have here.’
During their tour, Mr Moore showed the couple some ancient carvings with the couple pointing out lizards, fish nibbling on water lilies and a feline shape which he explained could have been a jaguar. He also walked them round to an area where the ancient Maya used to play ball games.
Kate donned a simple white t-shirt and a pair of G-star Raw khaki high-waisted cargo pants, which retail for £70 on the high-street, whilst William opted for a shirt, trousers and sturdy boots.
The duchess also partnered her look with a black belt, white Superga trainers, a simple pair of gold-plated hoops by Spells of Love and she also accessorised the ensemble with a pair of Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic sunglasses, which she matched with her husband.
The trip, taken at the behest of William’s grandmother the Queen, is intended to strengthen the UK’s ties with Commonwealth countries as the queen marks 70 years on the throne.
The British Army has maintained a presence in Belize since its independence. Currently the British Army Training Support Unit in Belize enables close country and tropical environment training to troops
The couple building their own shelter using palms before slipping into stunning evening attire for a special reception in celebration of the Queen’s jubilee
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess visit the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB) in the which delivers tropical environment training to troops from the UK and international partners
The couple were taught how to survive, live and fight in the jungle environment by troops. The unit is manned by 12 permanent staff and employs more than 100 local civilians
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess visit the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB) in the which delivers tropical environment training to troops from the UK and international partners
Pictured: William and Kate drink water collected in a water vine as they meet military personnel from Britain
The couple appeared to be laughing as they listened to troops talking about their survival experiences
The Duke and Duchess visit the British Army Training Support Unit in the Chiquibul Forest which delivers invaluable tropical environment training
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess visit the British Army Training Support Unit and learn survival techniques
Soldiers in Belize learn skills in the jungle that are transferable to other environments and the training, though often gruelling, sets them up for success on future operations
William and Kate began the third date of their trip learning about the history of the site, located in the Chiquibul Forest, and took in the country’s tallest man-made structure – known as the ‘sky palace’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited the iconic Mayan archaeological site of Caracol deep in the Belizian jungle on the third day of their Caribbean tour
The trip, taken at the behest of William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II , is intended to strengthen the UK’s ties with Commonwealth countries as the queen marks 70 years on the throne
Kate was pictured during a visit to Caracol, the ancient Mayan archaeological site in the jungle of Belize, on day three of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Kate donned a simple white t-shirt and fitted khaki trousers, partnered with a pair of white plimsoles for the much-anticipated visit
The Duchess of Cambridge wore her brown locks in a straight hairstyle and partnered her ensemble with a pair of simple gold hoops
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge climb the Caana at Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize, during their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee
Caracol was once the hub of life in the foothills of the Maya Mountains and is believed to have been occupied as early as 1200 BC, while the couple also visited the Caana – known in Belize as the ‘sky palace’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge each wore a pair of Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic sunglasses, which retail for £137
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with archaeological expert Allan Moore, at Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize, during their tour of the Caribbean
Pictured: William and Kate visit Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle of the Chiquibul forest on Monday
Caracol was once the hub of life in the foothills of the Maya Mountains and is believed to have been occupied as early as 1200 BC
Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize, that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited during their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee
William and Kate appeared to be laughing and joking with one another and the tour guide during the third day of their tour
Before they climbed the Sky Palace, William and Kate were shown ancient Maya carvings by archaeological expert Allan Moore, at Caracol
Kate could be seen gesturing at the site while at ground level and when they climbed half way up Caana and looked out from a platform, the couple stood with their hands on their hips looking around.
As they caught a glimpse of the vista, the couple marvelled at what they saw. ‘Wow,’ said Kate.
William got the giggles when, as he turned back away from the view – which was being captured by a group of photographers – to find another group the other side of them.
‘We got one, one side and another the other. You are in each other’s photographs,’ he laughed.
The couple then continued on their ascent accompanied by their own personal photographer.
Mr Moore told them as they climbed the steep steps up: ‘People often like to try and run up here.’
William replied: ‘What they race? You must be very fit if you are doing this three times a week Allan.’
Meanwhile, dozens of well-known leaders in Jamaica including professors and politicians are demanding an apology and slavery reparations as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepare for a trip to the former British colony.
The group is rejecting the visit of Prince William and Kate scheduled tomorrow, as part of a larger trip to the Caribbean region that coincides with the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence and the 70th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
‘We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension of your grandmother to the British throne because her leadership, and that of her predecessors, have perpetuated the greatest human rights tragedy in the history of humankind,’ read a letter published Sunday ahead of the couple’s visit and signed by 100 Jamaican leaders.
The weeklong royal tour of Central America and the Caribbean that began on Saturday was taken at the behest of the queen, who is William’s grandmother. The trip aims to strengthen Britain’s ties with Commonwealth countries, but it’s off to a rocky start and comes as some countries consider cutting ties to the monarchy like the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados did in November.
Local opposition forced the royal couple to cancel a visit to a cacao farm in Belize that was planned for Saturday, while the upcoming trip to Jamaica has angered some who say they are still waiting for an apology and slavery reparations.
Jamaica lawmaker Mike Henry, who has long led an effort to obtain reparations that he estimates at more than 7 billion pounds, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that an apology is only the first step for what he described as ‘abuse of human life and labor.’
‘An apology really admits that there is some guilt,’ he said.
Hundreds of thousands of African slaves toiled in Jamaica under more than 300 years of British rule and faced brutal conditions. There were numerous bloody rebellions, with one woman called ‘Queen Nanny’ leading a group of formerly enslaved Africans known as Jamaican Maroons whose guerrilla warfare became renown and battered British forces. ‘Queen Nanny’ remains the sole female of Jamaica’s eight national heroes.
The 3000 year old sky palace is hidden deep in the jungle in western Belize close to the Guatemala border. Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with archaeological expert Allan Moore, at Caracol
Pictured: The royal couple climbed up the 3000-year-old sky palace, which is hidden deep in the jungle in western Belize, close to the Guatemala border and were shown ancient Maya sculptures by archaeological expert Allan Moore
William wore a dark green button shirt with a pair of khaki trousers to walk around the historical site on Monday
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize
As the couple reached the top of the ancient stone tower, there was only one word from Kate when she saw the view and that was ‘Wow’
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with archaeological expert Allan Moore, at Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site
The Royal couple are on the first leg of a Caribbean Tour that takes in Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas
When the couple got half-way up the palace, they stopped to have a look at the ruins of some old dwelling places with their guide
Pictured: The royal couple isit Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle of the Chiquibul forest on March 21
Allan Moore, associate director of Belize’s Institute of Archaeology, showed the couple around the site which featured other buildings and was discovered in the 1930s by a logger looking for mahogany
Caracol, an ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the jungle in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize
During their tour, Mr Moore showed the couple some ancient carvings with the couple pointing out lizards, fish nibbling on water lilies and a feline shape which he explained could have been a jaguar
Allan Moore, associate director of Belize’s Institute of Archaeology, showed the couple around the site which featured other buildings and was discovered in the 1930s by a logger looking for mahogany
Kate could be seen gesturing at the site while at ground level and when they climbed half way up Caana and looked out from a platform, the couple stood with their hands on their hips looking around
William and Kate were given a guided tour of the Maya culture’s version of Buckingham Palace deep in the jungle, which remains the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The 3,000-year-old royal residence and temple, built by the Maya civilisation, stood at the centre of a city – home to an estimated 150,000 people
During their two-day stay in Jamaica, Prince William and Kate are expected to celebrate Bob Marley’s legacy, a move that also has riled some Jamaicans.
‘As a Rastafarian, Bob Marley embodied advocacy and is recognized globally for the principles of human rights, equality, reparations and repatriation,’ stated the letter of those demanding an apology.
The group said that it would be celebrating 60 years of freedom from Britain, adding that it is saddened ‘that more progress has not been made given the burden of our colonial inheritance. We nonetheless celebrate the many achievements of great Jamaicans who rejected negative, colonial self-concepts and who self-confidently succeeded against tremendous odds. We will also remember and celebrate our freedom fighters.’
It comes a day after the couple visited a family-run cacao farm yesterday – with the couple later showing off their dance moves much to the delight of Belize crowds.
William and Kate kicked off the second date of their tour by indulging their love of music and chocolate as they were shown around the Maya cacao farm in the coastal town of Hopkins in a last-minute addition to their schedule on Sunday.
The royal couple were treated to a welcome dance after they were shown around the village – with Kate appearing overjoyed as she was gifted a pair of wooden maracas.
Local organiser Laura Cacho, 57, who danced with the future king, said about the couple: ‘They were shaking their waists like nobody’s business.’
Kate was the first on the makeshift dancefloor, joining nine local school children at the Garifuna Cultural Centre in the picturesque beach-front village of Hopkins.
Her husband watched as she stole the show before he was tempted to join the performance dancing with Ms Cacho.
She said afterwards: ‘He shook his waist to the music. He had beautiful rhythm. It was a pleasure for me. Kate was excellent as well and definitely has Garifuna culture in her.’
The couple’s introduction to local culture also saw them offered plantain coconut broth, Hudutu, and a sweet sava porridge called Sahau with Belizian celebrity chef Sean Kuylen.
Dressed in a blue shirt and dark blue chinos, Prince William and Kate were taken round by a farmer on the second day of their eight-day trip round the Caribbean to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Here, their Royal Highnesses witnessed a demonstration of Garifuna culture during their visit on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen
The Duke of Cambridge dances during a traditional Garifuna festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
William quickly got his wife involved in the dancing as bystanders gathered to take pictures of the royal couple
Prince William showed off his dad dance moves on the sandy dance floor as Kate looked on during a traditional Garifuna festival
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed off their incredible dance moves much to the delight of Belize crowds
Prince William was seen in hysterics as he tried to show off his moves whilst dancing during a traditional Garifuna festival
Kate was the first on the makeshift dancefloor, joining nine local school children at the Garifuna Cultural Centre in the picturesque beach-front village of Hopkins. Her husband watched as she stole the show before he was tempted to join the performance dancing with Ms Cacho
The couple were in hysterics as they danced together at a traditional Garifuna festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
The couple’s introduction to local culture also saw them offered plantain coconut broth, Hudutu, and a sweet sava porridge called Sahau with Belizian celebrity chef Sean Kuylen
Kate appeared overjoyed and was in fits of laughter as she was gifted large wooden maracas during the Royal visit to Caribbean
The Duchess of Cambridge attending the Festival of Garifuna Culture in Hopkins, a small village on the coast which is considered the cultural centre of the Garifuna community in Belize
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in chocoholic heaven as they visited a family-run cacao farm in Belize on the second day of their Caribbean tour. Kate was pictured grinding cocoa nibs using a traditional mano and metate during her visit to the Che ‘il chocolate farm
The Duke and Duchess were told all about how the Mayans cultivate cacao trees, process cacao beans to make chocolate, a process that has been repeated for thousands of years
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Hopkins, Belize Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Royal visit to Caribbean
Kate was left in fits of giggles alongside William as they danced at the Festival of Garifuna Culture in Hopkins
Posting on their Twitter account, the couple wrote: ‘Wow! What a welcome. It was a privilege to spend time with the Garifuna community and experience some of their traditions, here in Hopkins. Thank you Mama G for hosting such a special event!’
William and Kate were shown round the Maya cacao farm in the coastal town of Hopkins in a last-minute addition to their schedule after local protests about ‘colonialism’ meant a planned visit to the Akte’iL Ha cacao farm in the foothills of the Maya mountains had to be cancelled
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge in Hopkins, Belize Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Royal visit to Caribbean
Pictured: William and Kate are on the second day of an eight day tour of the Caribbean to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The royal couple are left in hysterics as they spend time with the locals during their visit to Hopkins
William and Kate were shown round the Maya cacao farm in the coastal town of Hopkins in a last-minute addition to their schedule after local protests about ‘colonialism’ meant a planned visit to the Akte’iL Ha cacao farm in the foothills of the Maya mountains had to be cancelled
The couple began their tour of the chocolate production at the firm’s 10-acre farm, one of a number of plots they cultivate, and were shown the cocoa trees laden with fruit
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Beach after a Garifuna Festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Taking to Twitter, the royal couple posted about their ‘incredible experience’ after visiting the cacao farm. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote: ‘It was an incredible experience to see first hand how this world famous chocolate was made – using all organic products, all grown on their land on nearby. We can see why this is loved all around the world
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Beach after a Garifuna Festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Later on during the visit, Kate tried her hand at grinding nibs, broken-up made cocoa beans, back-breaking work traditionally performed by the women in rural communities, during their visit to the Che ‘il chocolate farm
The Cambridges learnt how the Saqui family are from Belize’s Maya community where the cocoa bean is revered and has been an integral part of their culture for thousands of years
Speaking about the importance of the bean Mr Saqui added: ‘It became currency in those days and was traded as cash, worth more than gold’
The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a stunning blue floral midi-dress by designer Tory Burch, which retails for £500, and nude platform wedge sandals by royal favourite Stuart Weitzman.
She finished off her look with a fan-shaped clutch bag by British designer Anya Hindmarch, which she had recycled from a look during her tour of Canada with William back in 2011.
During their trip, the Duke and Duchess were told about how the Mayans cultivate cacao trees, process cacao beans and make the chocolate.
The guide at the cacao farm offered a detailed explanation and the process of how cacao beans are extracted from the pods and then fermented and finally dried before they are ready to be made into chocolate.
Using a large stick, the guide showed them how to successfully crack the pod in half and said: ‘This is how it’s done’.
As the royal couple watched, Kate said: ‘You make it look so easy’ and William joked: ‘If I did that, I’d lose a finger!’
The couple’s eyes lit up when they saw chocolate fountains, dipping tortilla chips into the brown sticky liquid, and they tried hot chocolate made from organic products with Kate confessing: ‘I think our children will be very jealous.’
The Saqui family are from Belize’s Maya community where the cocoa bean is revered and has been an integral part of their culture for thousands of years.
Later on during the visit, Kate tried her hand at grinding nibs, broken-up made cocoa beans, back-breaking work traditionally performed by the women in rural communities, during their visit to the Che ‘il chocolate farm.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in chocoholic heaven sampling products made in a Belize cocoa farm but had to work for their sweet treats
The royal couple were told that chocolate was served to royalty in centuries past and at one point was worth more than gold to the Maya people who still serve it to special guests
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Beach after a Garifuna Festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
The guide at the cacao farm offered a detailed explanation and the process of how cacao beans are extracted from the pods and then fermented and finally dried before they are ready to be made into chocolate
The guide at the cacao farm offered a detailed explanation and the process of how cacao beans are extracted from the pods and then fermented and finally dried before they are ready to be processed into chocolate
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to a festival of Garifuna culture in a coastal village in Belize on the second day of their Royal Tour to The Caribbean
The Duke and Duchess sampled the nibs to help them learn about the intricate process of making chocolate from scratch
The Duchess of Cambridge greeted the public who took pictures and excitedly waved flags as the royal couple arrived at the farm
Kate partnered her summer ensemble with royal blue chandelier earrings and a small fan-shaped clutch bag
The couple appeared in good spirits as they learnt about the importance of the chocolate pods at the farm
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Hopkins, Belize Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Royal visit to Caribbean
Later as the future Queen watch her husband pounding away with a mortar and pestle made from volcanic rock she said: ‘The smell of the chocolate is amazing.’
William even joked about giving up his day job as a working royal asking Julio Saqui owner of the family-run chocolate firm: ‘Do you take apprentices?
‘Can I come and work for you? It’s my kind of thing.’
It was served to royalty in centuries past and at one point was worth more than gold to the Maya people who still serve it to special guests.
The couple began their tour of the chocolate production at the firm’s 10-acre farm, one of a number of plots they cultivate, and were shown the cocoa trees laden with fruit, with Kate asking Narcisio Saqui, brother of Julio, ‘Do you harvest them all year round?’
Narcisio took the couple out of the blistering sun and sat them down under a marquee and told them about the anti-oxidants and other important properties of cocoa and the duke exclaimed: ‘Are you saying chocolate is good for us?’
Speaking about the importance of the bean Mr Saqui added: ‘It became currency in those days and was traded as cash, worth more than gold.’
When he took a club and broke open a cocoa pod, filled with white gooey seeds which need to be fermented, dried, roasted and ground to make chocolate, William looked surprised and said: ‘That’s not what I expected at all.’
Taking to Twitter, the royal couple posted about their ‘incredible experience’ after visiting the cacao farm.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote: ‘It was an incredible experience to see first hand how this world famous chocolate was made – using all organic products, all grown on their land on nearby. We can see why this is loved all around the world.’
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the Beach after a Garifuna Festival on the second day of a Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
Duchess of Cambridge arrives in a small village on the coast which is considered to be the cultural centre of the Garifuna community in Belize
The couple’s eyes lit up when they saw chocolate fountains, dipping tortilla chips into the brown sticky liquid, and they tried hot chocolate made from organic products with Kate confessing: ‘I think our children will be very jealous’
When the couple arrived on Saturday, they received a 21-gun salute quite unlike what they are used to – with three miniature cannons on small, white tables fired by uniformed men pulling on strings. The Duke then inspected a guard of honour
The farmer took a club and broke open a cocoa pod, filled with white gooey seeds which need to be fermented, dried, roasted and ground to make chocolate
Also on Sunday, William and Kate are due to travel to the cultural centre of the Garifuna community in Hopkins.
This beachfront village is known for its welcoming nature and will greet the couple with a demonstration of Garifuna culture.
Acknowledging Belize’s world-famous marine environment, the Cambridges will also spend time learning from conservation specialists about marine protection and the restoration efforts of Belize’s precious barrier reef.
The couple arrived in the country on Saturday and spent around an hour chatting with Prime Minister Johnny Briceno and his wife Rosanna.
They looked relaxed after their 11-hour long-haul trip from the UK and were welcomed by Belize’s Governor General Froyla Tzalam as they stepped from the Voyager ministerial jet.
When the Cambridges met Belize’s prime minister and his wife around an hour later, William said: ‘It’s lovely to be here.’
‘Thanking you so much,’ the Prime Minister replied, adding: ‘We’re so happy you’re here.’
‘There were lots of questions in the car,’ said Kate, laughing, and clearly referring to William.
The Prime Minister and his wife then invited Kate and William to sit in a lounge area in his office building which overlooks the ocean.
‘It’s such a lovely view,’ said the duchess.
The start of the tour began in controversial circumstances after opposition from villagers, who cited a range of issues including objections to the Cambridge’s helicopter landing site, forced a royal trip to a farm on Sunday to be scrapped.
Despite the rocky start to the trip – and their flight arriving 30 minutes late – the couple smiled as they descended the steps of their plane on Saturday.
Kate wore a blue outfit by designer Jenny Packham and William opted for a light-blue coloured suit as they arrived at Belize City Airport in an RAF Voyager jet.
They received a 21-gun salute quite unlike what they are used to – with three miniature cannons on small, white tables fired by uniformed men pulling on strings. The Duke then inspected a guard of honour.
During the eight-day tour – their first foreign trip together since the start of the pandemic – the couple will also visit Jamaica and the Bahamas. They are travelling with an entourage of 15, including a hairdresser, private secretaries and press team.
While the warm sunshine and clear blue waters of the islands beckon, there is much work to be done to bolster support across the Caribbean.
In January, Prince Charles attended a ceremony in Barbados at which the Queen was formally removed as the country’s head of state.
And Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said he plans to follow suit, leaving William and Kate with a delicate mission.
The Cambridges have, however, become adept at charm and diplomacy and the trip will emphasise the Royal Family’s long and close links with the Caribbean.
Their spokesman described the three countries they are visiting as those ‘with which Her Majesty has an extremely warm relationship’.
William previously visited Belize 20 years ago as part of his jungle training in the Army. A Palace spokesman said the tour would be ‘a trip down memory lane’ for the Duke.
It has, however, caused some awkwardness at home.
The Mail on Sunday understands that Prince Charles had privately questioned the wisdom of scheduling the visit when he will be making his own historic two-day trip to Ireland. A source said pointedly: ‘How do you compete with the Cambridges in the Caribbean sun?’
The last Royal visit to Belize was a decade ago, when Prince Harry marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. He danced at a street party, prompting Bob Marley’s widow, Rita, to describe him as ‘a gift from God’, and he raced Usain Bolt.
Portia Simpson-Miller, Jamaica’s then prime minister who had been demanding an apology from Britain for slavery, became a giggling schoolgirl in his presence.
Will and Kate’s trip, taken at the behest of William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, is intended to strengthen the UK’s ties with Commonwealth countries as the queen marks 70 years on the throne.
They had been due to travel to Indian Creek, home to fewer than 1,000 people.
The couple planned to visit the Akte’iL Ha cacao farm in the foothills of the Maya mountains, a prime example of sustainable farming.
But the village of Indian Creek has been in open conflict with Flora and Fauna International, a charity which owns an adjoining, contested property. William has been FFI’s patron since 2020, the latest in a line of royals stretching back to George VI.
Villagers are involved in a highly emotional fight against the state and FFI, which works to protect ecosystems worldwide, over the rights to lands lost in the colonial era.
In particular they are angry about 12,000 acres of land that agents working for FFI have told them is ‘private property’ and not for communal use.
The indigenous Q’eqchi Maya people say they were not consulted about William and Kate’s visit and this week held a community meeting that was followed by yesterday’s protest.
Three Commonwealth nations are preparing to roll out the red carpet for William and Kate ahead of their arrival – amid an extraordinary row over indigenous rights. Pictured: Artist Alex Sanker, 51, paints a tribute to Prince William and Kate
But the charm offensive got off to a rocky start yesterday when villagers in Indian Creek (pictured) staged a protest, describing the visit as ‘colonialism’ and a ‘slap in the face’
Sebastian Shol, chairman of Indian Creek village, said: ‘We don’t want them to land on our land, that’s the message that we want to send. They could land anywhere but not on our land.’
Village youth leader Dionisio Shol said the way the visit had been handled raised the issue of ‘colonialism’.
He said: ‘For us it really hits right at home because of the treatment. The organiser said we had to let them use the football field and that people were coming to our village and it had to look good.
‘But they didn’t want to divulge who. Eventually somebody said it was Prince William coming to our village. That’s where the first issue arose. These are high-profile people, we respect them, but they also have to be giving respect to the community leaders. Giving community leaders commands did not sit well with the community.’
Villagers are involved in a highly emotional fight against the state and FFI, which works to protect ecosystems worldwide, over the rights to lands lost in the colonial era. Pictured: Protests in Belize
The police refused to allow them to protest during the planned visit tomorrow because of security concerns, so villagers staged a demonstration yesterday carrying banners reading ‘Prince William leave our land’ and ‘Colonial legacy of theft continues with Prince and FFI’.
Dionisio said that although their issue was with the charity, they believed William had to take responsibility as its patron.
There was no comment from Kensington Palace but aides confirmed that the visit had now been scrapped and the couple would make alternative arrangements.
It is understood that the visit, including the landing of the helicopter, was being organised by local officials. FFI is said to have bought the land at the disputed site, Boden Creek, in December last year to protect it, fighting off interest from bidders who wanted to use it for agriculture.
Sources said the ‘ecological integrity’ of Boden Creek was under threat and FFI secured the land for the benefits of conservation, local communities and as a national asset for Belize as a whole.
A spokesman said: ‘FFI will conserve and protect the extraordinary wildlife of Boden Creek, while supporting the livelihoods and traditional rights of local people.
‘Nature protection has to go hand in hand with people’s right to secure their livelihoods and to preserve their traditional and human rights.’
In a statement to the Mail the Government of Belize said: ‘Indian Creek was one of several sites being considered.
‘Due to issues in the village, the Government of Belize activated its contingency planning and another venue has been selected to showcase Maya family entrepreneurship in the cacao industry.’
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