Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Michael Howie and Robert Jobson

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge swim with sharks as Royal couple go diving in Belize

Spectacular video has emerged of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge swimming with sharks as they donned scuba gear to explore the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

The footage was posted along with images of the weekend diving trip in Belize on the Royal couple’s Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon.

The pair were seen swimming alongside each other and giving the OK hand signal as they viewed the coral and marine life.

In the video William said it had been “really fantastic” and hailed the “wonderful work” of those helping to ensure the coral and fish are protected.

He said: “(It’s) really fantastic to see the underwater environment here in Belize, and what wonderful work they've been doing to protect the coral and the fish life.

“Belize’s work on marine protection is world-leading, which is crucial when you're protecting the world's second largest barrier reef, and in fact it's a Unesco World Heritage site.

“And it’s clear to see the Belizeans value their environment, whether it's the marine environment or the land environment.

“It’s great to see that their commitments are going further and further, and we should support them and value their efforts to protect both the marine and the land environments.”

In a tweet accompanying the post, it was noted that the effects of climate change “are evident”, but also that the government of Belize and communities there “deserve huge recognition” for committing to protect 30% of its marine environment by 2030.

A Palace source said Kate and William were requested to go diving at the reef by the government of Belize, which was keen for them to see the marine conservation they are working on.

William and Kate have now said goodbye to Belize after a four-day visit that has seen them experience the nation’s heritage, Maya culture and dance with the locals.

The couple were waved off by a group of dignitaries after being given a red-carpet farewell with a guard of honour present.

The next stop of their Caribbean tour takes them to Jamaica where later they will visit Trench Town, the Kingston neighbourhood where reggae great Bob Marley grew up.

Kate and William wave as they boarded their plane in Belize City, before leaving for Jamaica on the latest leg of their Caribbean tour (AFP via Getty Images)

The couple were facing protests on their arrival as activists gathered outside the British High Commission building in Kingston to call for the UK monarchy to pay reparations for slavery and apologise for human rights abuses.

The Advocates Network coalition of Jamaican politicians, business leaders, doctors and musicians wrote an open letter detailing 60 reasons why the monarchy should compensate Jamaica, to mark the country’s 60th anniversary of independence.

Demonstrators were holding signs reading “Princesses and Princes belong in fairytales... not in Jamaica” and “apologise”, and holding copies of the open letter.

The protest began ahead of the Cambridges’ arrival in Jamaica on Tuesday, where they will stay until Thursday when they depart for the Bahamas.

Earlier in the tour there was opposition from villagers in Belize, who cited a range of issues including objections to the Cambridges’ helicopter landing site, which forced a trip to a farm on Sunday to be scrapped.

It was replaced with a visit to a chocolate producer before the couple travelled to the cultural centre of the Garifuna community in Hopkins.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.