Caribbean Commonwealth Tour: When is it and why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting?

The royal tour will see William and Kate focused on the youth and the pandemic response across Caribbean Islands.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently making a Commonwealth tour of the Caribbean to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The week-long trip marks the return of William and Kate’s royal presence overseas as the first official tour abroad since their March 2020 visit to Ireland before the pandemic.

The last private trip the pair took with their three children was to Jordan in 2021 – but this official junket will see the children continuing their education at home.

BESTPIX: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Christmas Portrait
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Here are the stops on the Cambridge’s first official Caribbean tour and what they might get up to:

When is the tour?

The tour begann on March 19 in Belize and ends in Jamaica on March 26.

Where will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit?

The first stop on their tour is Belize, where the Queen is head of state, which was surveyed by an advance party of the Cambridge’s representatives in January.

A source on the Ambergris Caye island told the Mail: “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.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also visit Jamaica and the Bahamas on their seven-day trip across the islands.

What is the purpose of their trip and what will they be doing?

Throughout their visit the Duke and Duchess will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, as well as learning about the Caribbean response to the pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth II during a Commonwealth visit to the Caribbean in March 1966
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Other causes close to their hearts include ecological progress with the Royal Foundation’s work on the Earthshot Prize, mental health and early childhood education on the islands.

Kensington Palace said their trip will include a Belizean visit to “historic Mayan sites and celebrate the rich culture of the Garifuna community”, a special “junkanoo parade” performance in the Bahamas and a meeting with “ground-breaking” Jamaican musicians.

During their trip to Jamaica they will also visit the Jamaican Defence Force and celebrating the seminal legacy of Bob Marley.

Are there any other royal tours this year?

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, will in April embark on their own Caribbean tour to Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Prince Charles and Camilla are expected in Ireland and Princess Anne in Papua New Guinea.

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