William and Kate, pictured, are including Belize on their upcoming 12-day tour of the Caribbean
The announcement that William and Kate are including Belize on their 12-day tour of the Caribbean, marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, raised a few eyebrows.
For many people, the tiny Central American country — slightly bigger than Wales, with a population of fewer than 400,000 — is off-radar.
But as British Honduras, Belize was — from 1783 to 1964 — a Crown colony. The Queen remains the constitutional monarch, with the official title ‘Queen of Belize’ — which sounds like a calypso song.
In 1981, after a protracted period of wrangling with neighbouring Guatemala, the country became fully independent, and is now a stable democracy.
Unlike Barbados, where the Queen has ceased to be head of state, Belize has no plans to change its relationship with the Commonwealth or monarchy.
The British Army has a permanent base, making use of its mountainous western flank for jungle warfare training.
A beach on Ambergris Caye — the largest of the many islands that lie between Belize’s mainland and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Deep inside the tropical forests are the mysterious Mayan citadels of Caracol, Lamanai and Xunantunich — and, quirkily, a luxury hotel owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola.
The country looks and feels Caribbean, but was once part of the Mayan empire; its official language is English, but people also speak Kriol, Spanish and Mayan languages.
It’s also home to the Garifuna, the descendants of African, Arawak and Carib people. Famed for their drumming, the Belizean Garifuna have their spiritual capital in Dangriga.
Ecological themes will be an important aspect of the royal visit. An essential stop will be the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Home to a dizzying array of marine species, including manatees, crocodiles, four kinds of sea turtle, sharks and rays, and the second largest coral reef on the planet, it’s a biodiversity hotspot — and a dream destination for pro scuba divers and novice snorkellers alike.
Deep inside a tropical forest in Belize is the mysterious Mayan citadel of Caracol (pictured above)
Above is San Pedro, the main township on Ambergris Caye, which is said to have inspired Madonna’s La Isla Bonita
Ambergris Caye — the largest of the many islands that lie between the mainland and the reef — is a magnet for monied Americans and a multinational yachting crowd. It is home to the cream of Belize’s high-end resorts and the country’s best restaurants, as well as carefully combed beaches, crystal-clear waters and the Unesco-listed Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve — a protected habitat for jaguars, ocelots and pumas.
The main township, San Pedro, is said to have inspired Madonna’s La Isla Bonita, though reggae and marimba are the main soundtrack in the cocktail bars and beer shacks. Rum punch is the national drink.
Back in his partying days, Prince William was known to be a keen drinker of rum-based Treasure Chest at Mayfair’s Mahiki; no doubt Belize’s bartenders are already working on a local variation.
A family classic
Travel by boat through the deep jungle to discover the ancient temples of Xunantunich, pictured, on a break with the adventure tour operator Explore
A vermilion flycatcher bird at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, which is also home to spider monkeys, toucans and crocodiles
Belize is an ideal family holiday destination. Visit the tropical forest of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary to see spider monkeys, toucans and crocodiles, and enjoy a day trip to the remote Davis Falls, Belize’s second highest waterfall.
Travel by boat through the deep jungle to the ancient temples of Xunantunich and Lamanai.
How to do it: From £3,044pp for 14 days, with flights and most meals (explore.co.uk).
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