Kate and Wills’ charm offensive in Caribbean
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to launch a charm offensive in the Caribbean as part of a tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year.
Belize, where the Queen is head of state and Prince William once trained with the Welsh Guards, is understood to be among the destinations on a trip that would have ‘a focus on ecological issues’.
Representatives for the Cambridges were spotted last week on the Central American nation’s paradise island of Ambergris Caye in what locals said was an ‘advance party’ preparing for a Royal tour in the spring.
A source on the island said: ‘Their people were very secretive and kept saying this had to be kept very quiet, but on a small island like Ambergris Caye it’s impossible to keep anything quiet for very long. They were talking
‘You can’t deny the Cambridges have a certain stardust’
about a four-day visit to Belize in March as part of a longer trip to this part of the world. They said William and Kate might visit the Caye and also go to mainland Belize. It’s all anyone here is talking about. We are so excited.’
A visit from two of the most glamorous Royals would shore up crucial support for the Monarchy in the region. In November, Prince Charles visited Barbados for a ceremony to mark its historic decision to remove the Queen as head of state.
Other Commonwealth countries in the region, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Dominica, already have their own heads of state. Last year, John Briceno, the Prime Min‘You ister of Belize, did not rule out his nation following suit, saying: ‘We need to find what fits Belize best.’
The last high-profile Royal visit to Belize was made by Prince Harry in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. He attended a street party, sampled the local rum and opened a road renamed in his grandmother’s honour. A decade on, with Harry and Prince Andrew having stepped back from Royal responsibilities, there are far fewer members of the family able to carry out official duties on behalf of the 95-year-old Queen.
‘This leaves more work for the Cambridges, and Charles and Camilla,’ said a Palace insider. can’t underestimate the importance of a visit by Charles, because the heir to the throne will always outrank other senior Royals, but at the same time you can’t deny that the Cambridges have a certain stardust.’
A source in Belize said: ‘When Barbados declared independence there was a lot of talk in Belize about us going the same way. But we love the Queen. We have photographs of her in every government building and there is a great deal of affection for her as a person, even if some of the younger generation are leaning away from the Monarchy. William and Kate coming to visit us would be a huge triumph.’
The Belize trip might form part of a much wider Caribbean tour taking in other Commonwealth nations such as St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Lucia. Kensington Palace declined to comment.