Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Prince William and Duchess Kate venture into Belize jungle to meet troops and visit Mayan site – best photos

It's their last day in Belize

prince william kate middleton caracol
Ainhoa Barcelona
Content Managing Editor
Share this:
prince william kate middleton caracol© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ventured into the depths of the Belize jungle on the third day of their Caribbean royal tour, and their final day in the Central American country before they head to Jamaica. William and Kate travelled to the heartland of the Chiquibul Forest to visit Caracol, a stunning and iconic ancient Mayan archaeological site.

The couple toured the area and had the chance to take in the incredible Caana, or 'Sky Palace', which remains the tallest man-made structure in Belize.

READ: Prince William and Kate's dancing gets royal fans talking

Afterwards, they paid a visit to the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB) in the jungle which delivers tropical environment training to troops from the UK and international partners. See the best photos from day three of their tour below…

WATCH: Prince William and Kate amazed as they visit Caracol archaeological site

kate middleton caracol outfit© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess, 40, braved the jungle heat wearing a white T-shirt tucked into khaki trousers and her trusty white Superga plimsoles. She accessorised with sunglasses and kept her hair loose and makeup natural.

READ: Zara Tindall's baby joy celebrations with husband Mike

Keep clicking for more photos

prince william kate middleton caracol talking photographers© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate walked around the ancient site, which 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.

They were told about the history of Caracol before admiring the imposing Sky Palace.

The Duke got the giggles as the couple realised they were surrounded by photographers. "We've got one [group] one side and another the other. You are in each other's photographs," he laughed.

READ: Kate reveals why her children would be jealous of Belize trip

prince william kate middleton caracol guide© Photo: Getty Images

The royals were guided around the area by the country's director of architecture Allan Moore, who showed them an area where the Mayans used to play ball games and answered all of the couple's questions.

READ: William and Kate share rare photo from inside royal plane

kate middleton caracol carvings© Photo: Getty Images

Mr Moore also pointed out Mayan carvings, with William and Kate noting lizards, fish nibbling on water lilies, and a feline shape which Mr Moore explained could have been a jaguar.

prince william kate middleton caracol stairs© Photo: Getty Images

The royals started the long trek to the top of the site.

"People often like to try and run up here," Mr Moore said. "What, they race?" exclaimed William. "You must be very fit if you are doing this three times a week Allan!" he added.

prince william kate middleton caracol view© Photo: Getty Images

"Wow," Kate said as they admired the vista and impressive structure.

prince william kate middleton caracol walking jungle© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate looked in sync in their khaki and green tones as they walked around the forest and site.

kate middleton outfit close up© Photo: Getty Images

The mum-of-three looked effortlessly cool on her active day out.

caracol view© Photo: Getty Images

The 'Sky Palace', towering 141 foot tall, is believed to have been erected so that the community's high priests and rulers could be closer to the sky.

kate will jungle

Later in the Chiquibul forest, the royals met with the British Army Training Support Unit, which trains troops from the UK as well as overseas. The visit will have brought back memories for William who visited Belize as a teenager in 2000 and spent time with BATSUB learning jungle survival techniques under the guidance of the Welsh Guards.

The Duke was beginning a gap year before university at the time and while in the jungle, learned his A-Level results.

kate willl army

William and Kate learnt about the cooperation between British service personnel and Belize Defence Force personnel on training and witnessed some of the survival techniques that are taught.

MORE: Kate Middleton wears khaki trousers and white T-shirt as she joins Prince William in Belize jungle

They also heard about the close cooperation between the British Army and conservation organisations such as Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) working to protect and promote the Chiquibul Forest, which is part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.

kate will laughing
belize tour royals

Kate and William both poked their heads into a man-made tent fashioned from palm leaves, and one soldier described how it could be built in less than ten minutes “for one or two people”. William joked: “Well if there’s two of you you’ll certainly be good friends after a night in there.”

More Royalty

See more