royal tour kate and william

Prince William and Kate’s Tour Was Meant to Secure the Monarchy in the Caribbean. Instead, It’s Raising New Questions About Its Future

T he British royal family is facing embarrassment on the international stage this week as protests disrupt Prince William and Kate Middleton’s tour of former British colonies in the Caribbean. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began their week-long visit to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas March 19.

Officially, the trip was meant to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne. Many observers say the trip was meant to persuade the three countries to keep the Queen as head of state, and not to follow Barbados, which transitioned to a republic last November. But growing calls to cut formal ties with the Queen and campaigns for slavery reparations have ignited a reckoning with the region’s colonial past.

How is Prince William and Kate’s visit sparking controversy?

Prince William and Kate arrived in Jamaica, the second stop of their trip, on March 22. Only a day later, The Independent reported that the Jamaican government had begun the process of transitioning the island nation—which is the largest English speaking country in the Caribbean—to a republic.

The news arrived at a difficult moment for the royals. The day before the couple’s arrival in the country, one hundred Jamaican academics, politicians, and cultural figures signed an open letter calling for the royal family and British government to apologize and pay reparations for subjecting the island to colonial rule and slavery.

“We are of the view an apology for British crimes against humanity, including but not limited to the exploitation of the indigenous people of Jamaica, the transatlantic trafficking of Africans, the enslavement of Africans, indentureship and colonialization is necessary to begin a process of healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and compensation,” the letter said.

The letter’s consignatories describe Prince William and Kate as “direct beneficiaries of the wealth accumulated by the royal family…from the trafficking and enslavement of Africans”. In reference to the Queen’s Jubilee, the letter reads: “We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension of your grandmother to the British throne because her leadership, and that of her predecessors, has perpetuated the greatest human rights tragedy in the history of humankind.”

The group, called the Advocates Network, staged a protest March 22 outside the British High Commission in Kingston to coincide with the couple’s arrival. Demonstrators held banners reading “#SehYuhSorry and make REPARATIONS.”

The following day, Prince William stopped short of an apology, instead expressing “profound sorrow” for the “appalling atrocity of slavery” during an address to Jamaica’s prime minister March 23.

“Slavery was abhorrent and it never should have happened,” he said . “I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history.”

The Advocates Network issued a statement in response, calling the Prince’s words “unacceptable,” adding: “There was no responsibility taken! No call out of centuries of British bloody conquest and plunder.”

Events in Jamaica weren’t the only controversy for the couple on their tour. They canceled their first major engagement the day before touching down in Belize, the first stop on the trip. William and Kate were due to visit a cocoa farm March 20 but locals staged a protest against the visit, objecting to the couple’s plans to land their helicopter on a nearby football pitch without consultation, the Daily Mail reported .

The protests were part of a wider land dispute between indigenous communities and Flora and Fauna International (FFI), the conservation charity that William supports as patron. Locals allege that the charity controls their communal ancestral lands, lost in the colonial era, as “private property,” according to the report. Demonstrators carried banners reading ‘Prince William leave our land’ and ‘Colonial legacy of theft continues with Prince and FFI’.

Why is the Queen still head of state in 14 independent countries?

Queen Elizabeth II is not only the monarch of the U.K., but also of 14 other countries , including Canada, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, known as the Commonwealth realms. They are distinct from the Commonwealth of Nations , a group of 54 countries that were once part of the British Empire—the majority of which no longer recognize the Queen as sovereign.

The nations of the Commonwealth realms are constitutional monarchies—the Queen is a symbolic head of state but the countries are ruled by elected governments. The Queen is not involved in governing but she does still have some constitutional duties, such as approving new governments and legislation, which are carried out by a royal representative.

Although the Queen’s position in these nations is mostly symbolic, the U.K. government noted that the monarchy forms part of Britain’s outsized influence on the world.

In November, Barbados became the first country to remove the Queen as head of state since Mauritius in 1992. Dame Sandra Mason, the island’s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation. “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” she said .

Debates about abolishing the monarchy have rumbled on for decades in other Commonwealth realms. Both Australia and the Caribbean nation St. Vincent and the Grenadines held failed referendums on becoming republics, in 1999 and 2009 respectively. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden, told the Guardian in 2018 that she expected the country to transition to a republic in her lifetime.

According to Barbadian political analyst and pollster Peter Wickham, certain Commonwealth realms may struggle to relinquish the monarchy even if the public and government want it. Barbados was able to become a republic because its constitution allowed the government to take the decision independently. In countries like Jamaica, it can only happen through a referendum with a two-thirds majority. “I don’t believe it will ever happen because the referendum will be manipulated by political parties,” Wickham says, drawing comparisons with the divisions caused by the U.K.’s Brexit referendum.

Why do campaigners no longer want the Queen as head of state?

Although the Queen’s role in Commonwealth realms is largely symbolic, attitudes towards the royal family are varied and complex. Wickham says that although Elizabeth herself is quite popular in many Caribbean countries, she is perceived as “not really relevant.”

“We don’t have a problem with her or even monarchy as such,” he says. “Most of us think she’s all the way in England and there’s no reason why we should maintain her as head of state.”

Some believe that keeping the Queen as head of state undermines independence, and only serves to perpetuate colonial subservience. “Imagine being given independence, and then to be told as an adult nation, that the Queen still had a stake in Jamaica and that the island is not really free. It is still an infant colony,” Jamaican-born British writer and academic Dr. Velma McClymont told TIME.

Calls for republicanism have been growing in Jamaica, which celebrates its 60-year anniversary of independence from Britain this year. According to leader of the Jamaican opposition, Mark Golding, the killing of George Floyd in 2020 and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests reignited conversations around national identity in Jamaica, whose population is over 90% Black.

“There are strong feelings that the royal family should apologize for their involvement with the slave trade and the plantation system which our people went through for a few hundred years,” Golding tells TIME. “I think it would enhance the cohesiveness of the relationship going forward.”

Golding says that although William and Kate’s trip to Jamaica may have been more “fraught” than they expected, he hopes it was a revelatory experience for the couples at the center of the royal family’s future. “I hope that they will realize that a better future can be assured by some introspection and reflection on the past, and the role of the institution of which they are now key members.”

Further to an apology, many campaigners demand compensation for the centuries of human rights violations that still impact former colonies today. CARICOM, an intergovernmental organization of 15 Caribbean countries, unanimously passed a 10-point plan in 2014 calling on European countries to compensate former colonies for centuries of exploitation and slavery. The demands include a repatriation of the descendants of slaves and debt cancellation. The body, which includes Jamaica and Barbados, says that the subjugation of former colonies by European governments is “the primary cause of development failure in the Caribbean.” Golding agrees, attributing issues of economic and healthcare inequality in Jamaica to the legacy of colonialism.

“Today, Jamaicans are still struggling and relying on remittances from relatives abroad, McClymont says. “I’m 65 years old this year, and I’ve been sending remittances [from the U.K.] to rural Jamaicas since I was 17 years old.”

Another issue influencing public opinion in former British colonies is allegations of racism made by Meghan Markle, the first biracial woman to marry into the royal family.

“Suddenly, all of us who before didn’t really take much notice of the royal family began to see what was happening to Markle,” McClymont says. “She was vilified as a Black woman and no statement of support was made by the [royal] family.”

Markle’s allegations were so damaging the royal family was forced to respond. The Queen issued a statement calling them “concerning,” while Prince William defended the monarchy, saying, “We’re very much not a racist family.”

What does the future hold for the British monarchy around the world?

Despite a string of royal controversies in recent months—from Prince Andrew’s settlement in a sexual assault lawsuit to allegations of a cash-for-honors scandal at Prince Charles’ charity—public opinion of the Queen herself remains high. But the same may not be true of her heir. A poll conducted by Ipsos Mori of over 2,000 British adults found that the Queen, who in February tested positive for COVID-19 , is more than three times more popular than her immediate heir, Prince Charles.

Read more: Who’s Paying Prince Andrew’s $16 Million Settlement to Virginia Giuffre? What to Know About Royal Finances

Some royal observers have suggested that the Queen is investing in Prince William and Kate, aged 39 and 40 respectively, as future leaders of the royal family. The couple are twice as popular as Charles who, at 73, may not be on the throne as long as his mother. The Caribbean tour was a crucial test of the monarchy’s relevance in the modern era—the scale of the opposition William and Kate faced may well trouble the Queen.

Ultimately, however, Barbadian political analyst Wickham believes the future of the British monarchy outside the U.K. is less an issue of royal popularity than it is about countries’ national identity. “This is not about Queen Elizabeth herself. It’s not about an individual,” he says. “It’s really about us moving in a different direction.”

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Arrive in Belize to Kick Off Their Week-Long Caribbean Tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also visit Jamaica and the Bahamas

Kate Middleton and Prince William are in the Caribbean!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in Belize on Saturday to kick off their week-long tour.

The couple is representing William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth on their tour of the Caribbean, which will also see them travel to Jamaica and the Bahamas, as they mark the monarch's Platinum Jubilee year, which celebrates her 70 years on the throne.

Kate, who paid tribute to her host country's flag by wearing a blue lace Jenny Packham skirt suit and a matching clutch, and William, who wore a light blue suit, were greeted by the Governor-General of Belize, Froyla Tzalam and her husband Daniel Mendez.

For more on Prince William and Kate Middleton's Caribbean tour, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.

William received a welcome from the guard of honor, including a 21-gun salute, as Kate chatted with the dignitaries.

After their official welcome at the airport, they headed for a meeting with the Prime Minister of Belize, Juan Antonio Briceño, who's more commonly known as Johnny Briceño.

As the tour begins in Belize, it has come to light that the couple was forced to cancel one of their first outings after protests broke out ahead of their arrival.

The couple traveled alongside their 15-strong entourage and some U.K. media in the British government RAF Voyager jet across the Atlantic to Belize from an RAF base in England.

The tour — their first joint official overseas tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — is being conducted on behalf of William's grandmother the Queen and will see them bringing sentiments from the monarch to the people of the Caribbean, a royal source says.

The Queen will be watching with interest from her home at Windsor Castle. William has been talking with his grandmother about their upcoming trip, and she's shared some of her memories of visiting the Caribbean countries, a source confirms.

It was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had planned to visit a cocoa farm in the foothills of the Maya Mountains in Belize on Sunday, but that has now been canceled after villagers staged a protest about colonialism and the use of a football field by the royals for landing their helicopter.

A royal source confirmed that the visit had been canceled for "sensitive issues" involving the community in Indian Creek and the couple will now visit a different location.

Kensington Palace declined to comment.

Throughout the tour, the couple will champion some of their favorite causes. Zeroing in on environmental issues, they will visit one of William's Earthshot Prize winners, Coral Vita, on Grand Bahama Island, and see their ground-breaking ideas for restoring and preserving reefs . It will be the first time that the couple has visited an Earthshot finalist.

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Kate will bring the work on behalf of early childhood development to Jamaica when they head to Shortwood Teacher's College, where they hope to highlight the country's work on behalf of children. The college conducts research in the field and trains students to become early childhood education practitioners. It is the second time that Kate has brought the work of her R oyal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood abroad, after her trip to Denmark last month.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Will Set Off on Caribbean Royal Tour

The pair have taken inspiration from Queen Elizabeth and the late Prince Philip's previous tours.

Prince William and Duchess Kate will embark on a Caribbean tour this weekend.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's eight-day tour will include visits to Belize, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, conducted on behalf of Queen Elizabeth. In addition to marking Will and Kate's first joint official overseas tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit to Jamaica echos the monarch's first visit to Jamaica when she was a new queen 70 years ago.

"These are three countries with which Her Majesty has had an extremely warm relationship following multiple visits throughout her reign," a palace spokeswoman says. "Those trips have helped to provide inspiration for many of the engagements that Their Royal Highnesses will carry out during their tour."

"As well as thanking the people of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas for their support, across this eight-day tour, the Duke and Duchess's program will focus on celebrating the rich cultures that are unique to these three countries," the spokeswoman adds.

The Belize portion of the tour has had a recent schedule change, with the duke and duchess canceling one of their first outings . The pair will skip a planned visit to a cocoa farm in on the foothills of the country's Maya Mountains Sunday, after Indian Creek villagers staged a protest Saturday regarding colonialism and the use of a football field by the royals for landing their helicopter.

"Indian Creek was one of several sites being considered. Due to issues in the village, the Government of Belize activated its contingency planning and another venue has been selected to showcase Maya family entrepreneurship in the cacao industry," the Government of Belize said in a statement to People . Per the outlet, Kensington Palace declined to comment.

After three nights in Belize, the couple will continue to Jamaica, where they will celebrate the "seminal legacy of Bob Marley," per the palace. They will then head to the Bahamas to take part in The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at the Royal Sailing Club in Nassau. The club was close to the heart of the late Prince Philip, who was a Honorary Commodore then Honorary Life Member of the sailing club.

Both Prince William and Duchess Kate will also take time to champion their causes on the trip. On Grand Bahama Island, the couple will meet with Earthshot Prize winner Coral Vita, and see the organization's ground-breaking ideas for restoring and preserving reefs. The visit will be their first time visiting an Earthshot finalist, after the inaugural ceremony last October.

They are also set to visit Jamaica's Shortwood Teacher's College, which conducts research in the field and trains students to become early childhood education practitioners. The visit will mark the second time that Kate has brought the work of her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood abroad, after her visit to Denmark last month.

Quinci LeGardye is an LA-based freelance writer who covers culture, politics, and mental health through a Black feminist lens. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.

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Prince William and Duchess Kate’s Royal Tour in the Caribbean: See Photos From Their Trip

To mark Queen Elizabeth II ’s 70th year on the throne, Prince William and Duchess Kate embarked on an overseas trip to tour the Caribbean.

“Throughout the tour, The Duke and Duchess will meet a wide variety of people from each country, including children, young people and families, frontline workers, service personnel, leaders from government, business and the charity sector as well as inspiring conservationists, and the early years workforce,” the royal family’s official Instagram account stated on Sunday, March 20, the second day of their trip. “Their [program] will also touch on a number of themes that are close to Their Royal Highnesses’ hearts and a key focus of their work with The Royal Foundation, including The Earthshot Prize, mental health and the importance of early childhood to lifelong outcomes.”

During their time in Belize, the trip took an unexpected turn when William, 39, and Kate, 40, canceled their first outing at a sustainable cocoa farm in Indian Creek. The decision came amid protests about indigenous rights and colonialism.

Ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s arrival , local villagers staged a protest and noted their frustration with the royals’ arrival on their land. At the time, village youth leader Dionisio Shol explained why William and Kate’s helicopter arrival created an issue for the locals.

“For us it really hits right at home because of the treatment. The organizer said we had to let them use the football field and that people were coming to our village and it had to look good. But they didn’t want to divulge who,” Shol told the Daily Mail. “That’s where the first issue arose. These are high-profile people, we respect them, but they also have to be giving respect to the community leaders. Giving community leaders commands did not sit well with the community.”

The palace responded to the concerns with their own statement to The Guardian , explaining, “We can confirm that due to sensitive issues involving the community in Indian Creek, the visit has been moved to a different location. Further details will be provided in due course.”

Following the delay, William and Kate continued with their travels in both Belize and to other countries in the British Commonwealth.

“Catherine and I are delighted to be here in Belize at the beginning of our first official visit to the Caribbean . I am honoured to convey the very warmest wishes from my grandmother, The Queen of Belize, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee,” the duo’s official Instagram account stated on Monday, March 21. “In our short time here, Catherine and I have been lucky enough to witness some of the extraordinary biodiversity that you so lovingly nurture here in your jungles and your reefs.”

The U.K. native concluded: “Alongside this environmental diversity, yesterday we also had a taste of Belize’s wonderful cultural diversity – from Mayan chocolate to Garifuna drumming. And yes, you even got us dancing!”

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William and Kate, who share children Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, also used their platform to highlight how the government of Belize is attempting to combat climate change.

“Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world,” their social media account shared alongside a video of William and Kate diving at South Water Caye on Tuesday, March 22. “While the effects of climate change are evident, the Government of Belize and communities across the country deserve huge recognition for their efforts to restore this incredible marine environment – with a commitment to protect 30% of it by 2030.”

Scroll down for highlights from William and Kate’s Caribbean tour:

Credit: Zak Hussein/Pool/Shutterstock

Prince William and Duchess Kate's Royal Tour in the Caribbean: See Photos From Their Trip

To mark Queen Elizabeth II ’s 70th year on the throne, Prince William and Duchess Kate embarked on an overseas trip to tour the Caribbean. “Throughout the tour, The Duke and Duchess will meet a wide variety of people from each country, including children, young people and families, frontline workers, service personnel, leaders from government, business and the charity sector as well as inspiring conservationists, and the early years workforce,” the royal family’s official Instagram account stated on Sunday, March 20, the second day of their trip. “Their [program] will also touch on a number of themes that are close to Their Royal Highnesses’ hearts and a key focus of their work with The Royal Foundation, including The Earthshot Prize, mental health and the importance of early childhood to lifelong outcomes.” During their time in Belize, the trip took an unexpected turn when William, 39, and Kate, 40, canceled their first outing at a sustainable cocoa farm in Indian Creek. The decision came amid protests about indigenous rights and colonialism. Ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's arrival , local villagers staged a protest and noted their frustration with the royals' arrival on their land. At the time, village youth leader Dionisio Shol explained why William and Kate's helicopter arrival created an issue for the locals. “For us it really hits right at home because of the treatment. The organizer said we had to let them use the football field and that people were coming to our village and it had to look good. But they didn't want to divulge who," Shol told the Daily Mail. “That’s where the first issue arose. These are high-profile people, we respect them, but they also have to be giving respect to the community leaders. Giving community leaders commands did not sit well with the community.” The palace responded to the concerns with their own statement to The Guardian , explaining, “We can confirm that due to sensitive issues involving the community in Indian Creek, the visit has been moved to a different location. Further details will be provided in due course.” [sendtonews type="float" key="XkYtWUYabT-2835355-14453"] Following the delay, William and Kate continued with their travels in both Belize and to other countries in the British Commonwealth. "Catherine and I are delighted to be here in Belize at the beginning of our first official visit to the Caribbean . I am honoured to convey the very warmest wishes from my grandmother, The Queen of Belize, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee," the duo's official Instagram account stated on Monday, March 21. "In our short time here, Catherine and I have been lucky enough to witness some of the extraordinary biodiversity that you so lovingly nurture here in your jungles and your reefs." The U.K. native concluded: "Alongside this environmental diversity, yesterday we also had a taste of Belize’s wonderful cultural diversity - from Mayan chocolate to Garifuna drumming. And yes, you even got us dancing!" William and Kate, who share children Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, also used their platform to highlight how the government of Belize is attempting to combat climate change. "Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world," their social media account shared alongside a video of William and Kate diving at South Water Caye on Tuesday, March 22. "While the effects of climate change are evident, the Government of Belize and communities across the country deserve huge recognition for their efforts to restore this incredible marine environment - with a commitment to protect 30% of it by 2030." Scroll down for highlights from William and Kate's Caribbean tour: [podcast_block]

Credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Their Arrival

The twosome coordinated during their arrival by wearing blue hues as a nod to the country’s royal color.

The trip included visits to Jamaica and the Bahamas.

A Learning Experience

During the tour, William and Kate learned about the country's chocolate making and Belize’s marine conservation efforts.

Credit: Stephen Lock/i-Images/Pool/Shutterstock

A Special Moment

The visit is the couple's first joint overseas appearance since the start of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic two years ago.

Credit: Robin Nunn/Pool/Shutterstock

Picture Perfect

While spending time in Hopkins to experience Garifuna culture, William and Kate danced with the locals.

Marking an Occasion

The royal tour is in honor of the monarch's milestone Platinum Jubilee.

Credit: Sam Hussein/Pool/Shutterstock

Documenting Their Excursion

"What incredible views 🇧🇿🌴," they wrote via their Instagram account on Monday. "It’s an honour to be here at this iconic Mayan monument in the Chiquibul Forest."

Sharing Important Details

William and Kate kept their followers updated about the special trip on all of their social media platforms.

Credit: London Entertainment/Shutterstock

Touching Down

The duo were all smiles as they arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday.

Warm Welcome

William and Kate were introduced to local dignitaries on the airport runway.

Sled Selfie

"What an honour it is to have The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge not only in Jamaica but sitting in one of our history-making bobsleighs!" the official account of the Jamaica Bobsleigh & Skeleton teams wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. "We are thankful for the support and looking forward to once again being the #HottestThingOnIce in the 2026 Winter Olympics!"

The duke and duchess replied in the comments, writing, "Lovely to meet you all today."

Credit: Jane Barlow/Pool/Shutterstock

What a Gift!

William and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness toasted one another during their meeting on Wednesday, March 23. While speaking with the Duke of Cambridge, the PM confirmed that the country hopes to "fulfill our true destiny" by leaving the Commonwealth and becoming an independent republic.

Kate, Holness and his wife, Juliet Holness , watched as William left a message for the people of Jamaica.

Credit: Stephen Lock/Pool/Shutterstock

Study Break

Later in the day, Kate sat down to talk with some young schoolchildren while visiting Shortwood's Teacher College.

Making the Grade

The duke and duchess were all smiles as they celebrated the "the next generation of early years professionals" during their stop.

Credit: Samir Hussein/Pool/Shutterstock

To the Nines

Kate's green gown and yellow accessories gave a subtle nod to the Jamaican flag as she and William attended a reception held by Jamaica’s Governor General Patrick Allen on Wednesday evening.

Four of a Kind

The couple posed alongside the prime minister and his wife at the reception. During his speech, William shared his "profound sorrow" for the role England played in the transatlantic slave trade. "Slavery was abhorrent. And it never should have happened," he said on Wednesday. "While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude."

Gorgeous in Green

The Duke and Duchess waved as they departed Jamaica from the Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday, March 24.

A Royal Parade

The pair were a part of the inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean who have recently completed the Caribbean Military Academy's Officer Training Program.

A Blue Arrival

The Cambridges coordinated in different blue hues when they arrived in Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday, March 24.

Smiling in the Rain

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was all smiles despite the dreary weather as she visited Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau on Friday, March 25.

Class Is In Session

Duchess Kate and Prince William sat at desks while meeting with students at the school.

The Real VIPs

The future queen consort met frontline workers who have been essential amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A Royal Regatta

The royals visited Montagu Beach for one of the first sailing regattas in The Bahamas since the start of the pandemic.

Raining on the Royals

William and Kate looked cheerful despite getting soaked during a sudden downpour at the regatta.

Credit: Atlantis Paradise Island/Donald Knowles/BVS

The duke and duchess dried off and cleaned up before leaving their hotel, The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island, for a reception.

A Night to Remember

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception hosted by the Governor General at the Baha Mar Hotel on Friday.

An Entrance

The married couple walked into the reception holding hands before they met with community leaders from across The Bahamas' many islands.

Goodbye, Nassau!

When the pair left their hotel, The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island, on Saturday, March 26, Prince William and Duchess Kate thanked Russell Miller, executive vice president, and Kapil Sharma, general manager of The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island. The royals reported that they were very pleased with their stay and wanted to come back on vacation with their children.

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The best candid photos from Kate Middleton and Prince William's royal tour of the Caribbean

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a royal tour of Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.
• The tour marks Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.
• Candid photos show Prince William and Kate Middleton engaging in rare PDA and dancing with locals.

In a rare moment of PDA, Prince William placed his hand on Kate Middleton's shoulder while visiting the Laing Building in Belize City, Belize.

After disembarking from their plane, William and Middleton met with the prime minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño, and his wife, Rossana Briceño.

The couple whispered to each other while visiting a cacao farm.

They received a tour of the cacao farm and helped grind cacao seeds on a stone tool known as a ka'ah, Reuters reported .

Locals in the coastal town of Hopkins, Belize, pulled Middleton into a dance at a traditional Garifuna festival.

Hopkins is home to a traditional Afro-indigenous Garifuna community, according to Reuters .

She burst into laughter as she danced to the gunjei drum rhythm.

Middleton wore a Tory Burch smock dress with Stuart Weitzman wedges and blue statement earrings to the festivities, People magazine reported .

Prince William also got in on the fun.

After the Garifuna festival, William and Middleton planted a tree.

He gave his dance partner a spin.

"The Duke and Duchess were definitely getting into The Caribbean spirit today during a visit to the small town of Hopkins in #Belize ," royal photographer Chris Jackson wrote on Instagram .

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then visited the Caracol Mayan archaeological site in Belize's Chiquibul Forest.

The 3,000-year-old palace once served a community of around 200,000 people, archaeologist Allan Moore told the royal couple, according to People magazine .

In Jamaica, Prince William and Kate Middleton greeted ecstatic locals in Kingston.

One woman appeared particularly starstruck by the prince. Some locals have protested the royals' presence in Jamaica, however.

He joined a soccer game with students at Kingston College.

William and Middleton also met soccer players Raheem Sterling and Leon Bailey, People magazine reported .

He also sat in a bobsled during a meeting with Jamaica's Olympic bobsleigh team.

Middleton later joined William in the bobsleigh for a photo with the team.

Prince William and Kate Middleton played the drums at the Trench Town Culture Yard Museum, where Bob Marley used to live.

Kingston's Trench Town is known as the birthplace of reggae music.

They got caught in a tropical rainstorm in the Bahamas.

William and Middleton visited Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau, where Middleton spoke to students at an assembly.

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Gaffes and Miscues Mar a Royal Tour of a Republic-Minded Caribbean

The trip by Prince William and his wife, Catherine, the duchess of Cambridge, dramatized how rapidly Queen Elizabeth II is losing her grip on distant dominions where she is still head of state.

By Mark Landler

LONDON — In Belize, a visit to a cocoa farm was scotched after residents protested. In Jamaica, the prime minister declared his country was “moving on” from the British monarchy. In the Bahamas, the couple arrived to demands from a group calling for slavery reparations that they acknowledge Britain’s economy “was built on the backs of our ancestors.”

For Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge , it has been a turbulent tour of the Caribbean — one that has dramatized, through a pileup of gaffes and miscues, how rapidly Queen Elizabeth II is losing her grip on these distant dominions, even when she sends her most popular proxies.

Barbados cast off the queen as head of state last November, and Jamaica seems emboldened to follow suit, though it would require a referendum to amend the island’s constitution. William, second in line to the throne, got a taste of how the mood toward the monarchy has changed in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and a renewed call for reparations for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

“We intend to fulfill our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country,” Jamaica’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, said on Wednesday as a po-faced William looked on.

On many stops of their tour, the couple was greeted warmly, even jubilantly. But even those encounters were marred by off-key images. During a military parade, William, resplendent in a white dress uniform, rode with his wife, also in white, in the same open-top Land Rover that carried the queen and Prince Philip in 1962. To some locals, it was a caricature of a colonial proconsul inspecting his troops.

In Trench Town, the Kingston neighborhood famous as the home of Bob Marley, the couple tried their hand at reggae and mixed with friendly crowds. But the enduring image of the stop was likely to be them touching the fingers of children stretched through a chain-link fence — the kind of public-relations gaffe that afflicts other members of the royal family but has rarely tarnished this couple.

The dissonance is about more than poor stagecraft, according to scholars and royal watchers. Sentiment toward the royal family has shifted perceptibly in the Caribbean since the killing of Black people by the police in the United States inflamed a long-simmering debate in Britain and its former colonies about the legacy of empire. Barbados’s decision to remove the queen was a tipping point.

“Barbados is seen as the conservative of the Caribbean,” said Richard Drayton, a professor of imperial history at Kings College London, who spent his childhood on the island. “So, when Barbados takes a step like this, it creates space for other Caribbean countries to move in that direction.”

Both major political parties in Jamaica support becoming a republic, though there are legal hurdles that make it more complicated than in Barbados. Guyana led an earlier wave of republicanism in the Caribbean, dissolving its ties to the queen in 1970. Trinidad and Tobago followed in 1976, and Dominica in 1978.

Elizabeth, 96 next month, remains head of state of 15 countries in the Commonwealth. While she has a reservoir of popularity in the Caribbean, particularly among older people, Professor Drayton said many were impatient for a public acknowledgment by the monarchy of its role in the slave trade, which was conducted under royal imprimatur by the Royal African Company in the 17th and 18th centuries.

William’s father, Prince Charles, spoke candidly about the stain of slavery when he was on hand for the ceremony at which Barbados became a republic. By all accounts, William went even further, though he stopped short of a formal apology.

“I want to express my profound sorrow,” he said at a dinner in Jamaica. “Slavery was abhorrent, and it should never have happened.”

Given the charged atmosphere, Professor Drayton said Buckingham Palace miscalculated by choreographing the couple’s visit as a traditional royal tour. The idea was to send William and Catherine, who are among the most popular royals in opinion polls, to represent the queen during her Platinum Jubilee (she stopped traveling overseas several years ago). Catherine, more commonly known as Kate, still got good reviews in the London tabloids.

“This is a very old strategy on the part of the royal household to cement its hold over the dominions, to make the charismatic presence of the crown visible,” he said. “The assumption they could simply send out members of the royal family to press the flesh and charm the crowds reflects a lack of clear thinking.”

The royal family has grappled with questions about race since last year, when the biracial, American-born wife of Prince Harry, Meghan, told Oprah Winfrey in a sensational television interview that a member of the family had expressed concerns about the color of their baby’s skin. Asked bluntly whether his family was racist, William said no.

While the Harry-and-Meghan show did not intrude on the William-and-Kate tropical tour, royal watchers said the repeated references to racial issues served as an illustration of what was lost when Harry and his wife gave up their royal duties and relocated to California. On a visit to Africa before the split, Meghan electrified crowds that had never seen a British duchess who looked like them.

“If this tour had been led by Harry and Meghan, it would probably have gone down a lot better than William and Kate,” said Ed Owens, a historian who has written about the relationship between the media and the monarchy. “Harry and Meghan were, if you like, the monarchy’s silver bullet, making it more palatable.”

Still, given the deeper historical trends, it is unlikely that even they would have kept the queen’s realm from shrinking further. Professor Drayton predicted Jamaica would be a republic in two years, possibly followed by Belize, though its situation was complicated by security concerns about its neighbor, Guatemala.

“The hesitations about doing this are now gone,” he said. “That particular ship has sailed.”

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief. In 27 years at The Times, he has been bureau chief in Hong Kong and Frankfurt, White House correspondent, diplomatic correspondent, European economic correspondent, and a business reporter in New York. More about Mark Landler

Prince William and Kate Announce a Major Caribbean Tour

The Cambridges will spend a week in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize in celebration of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to undertake an official overseas visit together. Prince William and Kate Middleton will visit Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, on a week-long tour in late March. This will be their first official visit to the Caribbean.

The tour will begin in Belize on March 19 and end in Jamaica on March 26. Per Kensington Palace, in Belize, the Cambridges "will visit historic Mayan sites and celebrate the rich culture of the Garifuna community as well as exploring the country’s biodiversity." In Jamaica, they will meet with the Jamaica Defence Force and celebrate Jamaican musicians, and in the Bahamas, they will travel across numerous islands are experience a "famous junkanoo parade," a street parade celebrating Bahamian culture.

The Caribbean visit will focus on causes that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge care about, including mental health and early childhood education. According to Kensington Palace, "Their Royal Highnesses are keen to understand more about the impact that the pandemic has had across the Caribbean, and how communities have pulled together to respond to the challenges they have faced."

In April, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, will undertake a visit to other commonwealth countries in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. This is part of a larger plan of royal tours in honor of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year—including a visit of Prince Charles and Camilla to Ireland and Princess Anne to Papua New Guinea.

Barbados severed ties with the British monarchy in November 2021, becoming a republic after almost 400 years of various forms of British rule—Prince Charles attended the ceremony . In the wake of that decision, the debate over whether or not to remove the Queen as head of state has reignited across many Commonwealth realms. And it's not just Caribbean nations— polling in Australia and Canada shows removing the Queen as head of state is popular.

Calls for Jamaica to become a republic especially intensified after Barbados left the Commonwealth. Jamaica's prime minister Andrew Holness declared in December 2021 that "Jamaica has to become a republic." Holness added , "We have put together a plan to move towards that in a way that is meaningful and substantial in function and form. That is what we are going to do."

Belize's leader, too, has spoken about the need for a change in government structure. Prime Minister John Briceño said in July 2021: "Probably one of the things we will be talking about in the near future [is] whether we want to stay with the parliamentary system, or do we want to go to a republican system, or find a hybrid between a parliamentary system and a republican system?"

The last senior royal to visit the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize was Prince Harry in 2012 as part of a Diamond Jubilee Tour. In addition, Princess Anne visited Jamaica and the Bahamas in 2015 and Prince Edward and Sophie visited the Bahamas in 2016.

Last summer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle acknowledged the "uncomfortable" history of the Commonwealth in conversation with youth leaders involved in the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

"When you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past," Prince Harry said, urging the United Kingdom to work to "right the wrongs" of its colonial history.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Royal News Roundup: Kate Middleton Breaks Silence, Royal Baby Bump Pic Unveiled & More

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Here’s all the royal news you need to know for the week leading up to July 11, 2024

Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

After Andy Murray announced his Wimbledon career would officially be coming to an end, Princess Catherine wrote a personal message and shared it to Kensington Palace’s Instagram Story.

Shortly after a video of Prince William dancing to Taylor Swift emerged on the internet, a montage clip of Kate Middleton showing off her dance moves started to go viral on TikTok. The video also featured an appearance by Prince William and their three kids.

Princess Catherine’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton , made an appearance at Wimbledon . Her outfit was designed by Cefinn—one of her daughter’s go-to fashion brands.

During Royal Week in Scotland, Prince William joined his dad, King Charles , Queen Camilla and his uncle, Prince Edward, at St. Giles’s Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Order of the Thistle service. A slo-mo video of the royal confidently walking alone during the service was shared on social media.

Another resurfaced video of Prince William showed the future monarch riding through the gates of Windsor Castle on an electric scooter. While wearing a white-collared shirt and blue sweater with navy pants, the Prince of Wales casually cruises through the royal residence.

Prince William is set to star in a new docuseries , Prince William: We Can End Homelessness , which will focus on the royal’s five-year initiative, Homewards .

Over the weekend, Prince William attended the UEFA EURO quarterfinals, where team England faced off against team Switzerland. While sitting in the stands, the royal candidly reacted to the game in a number of ways, from pumping his fists into the air to putting his face in his palms.

This week, the Prince of Wales returned to RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, where he served as an RAF search and rescue pilot for three years.

Thank you to the @ESPYS for honouring the founding of the #InvictusGames Foundation by Prince Harry , The Duke of Sussex and our work to support the rehabilitation of the international wounded, injured or sick service community. #IAMHere #InvictusSpirit 💛🖤 — Invictus Games Foundation 💛🖤 (@WeAreInvictus) June 27, 2024

At the 2024 ESPY Awards , Prince Harry will be awarded the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. The Duke of Sussex is being honored for founding The Invictus Games Foundation—an organization that supports wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

Prince Harry will take part in a televised sit-down interview, that is going to be featured in an upcoming ITV program titled Tabloids on Trial , which airs on July 25.

Tatler reported that Meghan Markle could potentially be working on launching a bottle of rosé under her lifestyle label American Riviera Orchard .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)

Buckingham Palace released a brand-new portrait of King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Prince Edward. FYI, the photo was taken after the four royals attended the Order of the Thistle service at St. Giles’s Cathedral in Edinburgh.

After the U.K. elections, King Charles welcomed the leader of the Labour Party to Buckingham Palace for a meet-and-greet and to formally invite him to become the next Prime Minister (a tradition that Queen Camilla also took part in during her reign).

On July 3, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a ceremony dedicated to the 900th anniversary of the City of Edinburgh held at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. A video of the queen helping her husband cut a cake was shared on the royal family’s Instagram page .

Queen Camilla was all smiles as she hosted a group of community volunteers and authors to celebrate the National Literacy Trust charity's 30th anniversary at Clarence House. For the occasion, she donned a beautiful navy A-line dress, patterned with white tulips.

Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

While attending the Order of the Thistle Service at St. Giles' Cathedral, Duchess Sophie opted for a statement hat and a gorgeous Suzannah London Fontaine Silk Crepe Dress in Paris Pink.

The duchess struck again in a chic baby blue dress from Roland Mouret at the Sovereign’s Garden Party. And of course, we found a few lookalike options that you can use to recreate the royal fashion look .

Princess Beatrice joined her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , for day nine of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. And it was impossible to miss the royal's eye-catching Monique Lhuillier shirtdress, featuring colorful florals and a waistband.

This week, Prince Eugenie treated her Instagram followers to a throwback video of her son, August, as a baby. from when he was a baby. He wore an England football onesie—a sweet nod to the national team that is headed to the Euro 2024 finals .

JORDAN PIX VIA GETTY IMAGES

In honor of the Crown Prince of Jordan’s 30th birthday, his mom, Queen Rania , posted a photo of the Crown Prince of Jordan and his wife, Princess Rajwa, who is pregnant with their first child. As the couple look off into the distance, Princess Rajwa’s growing belly is peeking through her dress.

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Royal News Roundup: Kate Middleton Breaks Silence, Royal Baby Bump Pic Unveiled & More

Plus, meghan markle may be launching a new product under her lifestyle brand.

Here’s all the royal news you need to know for the week leading up to July 11, 2024

• After Andy Murray announced his Wimbledon career would officially be coming to an end, Princess Catherine wrote a personal message and shared it to Kensington Palace’s Instagram Story. 
• Shortly after a video of Prince William dancing to Taylor Swift emerged on the internet, a montage clip of Kate Middleton showing off her dance moves started to go viral on TikTok. The video also featured an appearance by Prince William and their three kids.
• Princess Catherine’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton , made an appearance at Wimbledon . Her outfit was designed by Cefinn—one of her daughter’s go-to fashion brands. 
• During Royal Week in Scotland, Prince William joined his dad, King Charles , Queen Camilla and his uncle, Prince Edward, at St. Giles’s Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Order of the Thistle service. A slo-mo video of the royal confidently walking alone during the service was shared on social media.
• Another resurfaced video of Prince William showed the future monarch riding through the gates of Windsor Castle on an electric scooter. While wearing a white-collared shirt and blue sweater with navy pants, the Prince of Wales casually cruises through the royal residence. 
• Prince William is set to star in a new docuseries , Prince William: We Can End Homelessness , which will focus on the royal’s five-year initiative, Homewards . 
• Over the weekend, Prince William attended the UEFA EURO quarterfinals, where team England faced off against team Switzerland. While sitting in the stands, the royal candidly reacted to the game in a number of ways, from pumping his fists into the air to putting his face in his palms.
• This week, the Prince of Wales returned to RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales, where he served as an RAF search and rescue pilot for three years. 
• At the 2024 ESPY Awards , Prince Harry will be awarded the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. The Duke of Sussex is being honored for founding The Invictus Games Foundation—an organization that supports wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
• Prince Harry will take part in a televised sit-down interview, that is going to be featured in an upcoming ITV program titled  Tabloids on Trial , which airs on July 25.
•   Tatler reported that Meghan Markle could potentially be working on launching a bottle of rosé under her lifestyle label American Riviera Orchard .
• Buckingham Palace released a brand-new portrait of King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Prince Edward. FYI, the photo was taken after the four royals attended the Order of the Thistle service at St. Giles’s Cathedral in Edinburgh.
• After the U.K. elections, King Charles welcomed the leader of the Labour Party to Buckingham Palace for a meet-and-greet and to formally invite him to become the next Prime Minister (a tradition that Queen Camilla also took part in during her reign).
• On July 3, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a ceremony dedicated to the 900th anniversary of the City of Edinburgh held at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. A video of the queen helping her husband cut a cake was shared on the royal family’s Instagram page . 
• Queen Camilla was all smiles as she hosted a group of community volunteers and authors to celebrate the National Literacy Trust charity's 30th anniversary at Clarence House. For the occasion, she donned a beautiful navy A-line dress, patterned with white tulips.

• While attending the Order of the Thistle Service at St. Giles' Cathedral, Duchess Sophie opted for a statement hat and a gorgeous Suzannah London Fontaine Silk Crepe Dress in Paris Pink. 
• The duchess struck again in a chic baby blue dress from Roland Mouret at the Sovereign’s Garden Party. And of course, we found a few lookalike options that you can use to recreate the royal fashion look .
• Princess Beatrice joined her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , for day nine of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. And it was impossible to miss the royal's eye-catching Monique Lhuillier shirtdress, featuring colorful florals and a waistband.
• This week, Prince Eugenie treated her Instagram followers to a throwback video of her son, August, as a baby. from when he was a baby. He wore an England football onesie—a sweet nod to the national team that is headed to  the Euro 2024 finals .

• In honor of the Crown Prince of Jordan’s 30th birthday, his mom, Queen Rania , posted a photo of the Crown Prince of Jordan and his wife, Princess Rajwa, who is pregnant with their first child. As the couple look off into the distance, Princess Rajwa’s growing belly is peeking through her dress. 

LISTEN TO ROYALLY OBSESSED, THE PODCAST FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE ROYAL FAMILY

Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here .

Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

Princess Kate to miss Prince William's polo match amid recovery

The Princess of Wales will miss supporting her husband, Prince William , in his charity polo match on Friday.

Kate, 42, who is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer, will not be among the spectators watching the Prince of Wales compete in the Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Charity Polo Cup 2024 at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

The Princess briefly returned to the spotlight last month when she joined the royal family at the King's birthday parade, formally known as Trooping the Colour .

And in a personal update ahead of the event, she shared that she has "good days and bad days" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months".

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The royal tipped to step in for princess kate at wimbledon finals, prince william faces difficult dilemma ahead of family holiday, prince harry addresses espy award criticism in powerful speech as proud wife meghan markle looks on.

Last year, Kate attended the event, presenting her husband with a trophy and greeting him with a kiss. Watch the moment below...

It will be the 13th time William has played in the polo fixture, which is set to generate £1 million this year and take the total amount raised over the years to more than £13 million.

The funds will benefit 11 charities and organisations that the Prince and Princess care passionately about, including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Wales Air Ambulance, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, SHOUT, Child Bereavement UK, Royal African Society, Place2Be, Action for Children, The Blackthorn Rally, HMS Oardacious Fund and The Royal Marsden.

It comes amid speculation that Kate could attend the tennis finals of the Wimbledon Championships this weekend in her role as patron of The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

The royal mum-of-three traditionally presents the trophies to the Men's and Ladies' winners but if she unable to fulfil her ceremonial duties, the Duchess of Gloucester has been tipped to step in.

Meanwhile, William is expected to fly to Germany to watch England compete against Spain in the Euro 2024 football final on Sunday in Berlin.

The future king celebrated the Three Lions win against The Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday with a personal message, writing: "What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists W."

William, who is an avid Aston Villa fan, has been President of the FA since 2006.

Rules of polo

Playing field and  equipment

Played on grass, with a ball and mallets the principle pieces. A standard polo pitch measures up to 270 metres by 150 metres. The ball weighs around 4.5 ounces and the mallets measure 49 to 54 inches. Riders require a protective equestrian helmet, knee-length boots, spurs and a whip. Two gloves with wristbands are worn too. Polo jerseys are numbered one to four and relate to player positions.

Protagonists 

Two teams comprising four players each (and their horses!). Team members are either assigned to 'defence' or 'attack'. 

Matches last about one and a half to two hours and are divided into seven-and-a-half-minute periods called chukkas. There are either four or six chukkas in a match, divided by halftime. During halftime, spectators are asked to tend to divots on the field.

To start the match, an official rolls the ball into play. Players score by driving the ball between the open posts of the opposing goal which measures 7.3 metres in width.. There is no rule on how high the ball can travel through the air. Teams change ends after each goal. Fouls are divided into crosses, foul hooks and dangerous engagements. In the event of foul, a penalty is awarded during which the transgressing team must be positioned a minimum of 27.4 metres from the ball. The team which scores the most goals wins. In the event of a draw, sudden death overtime is played in which the first team to score triumphs. 

Credit: The UK Rules

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Kate middleton’s parents attend wimbledon without her as organizers remain ‘hopeful’ she will go to tennis tournament.

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Kate Middleton hasn’t attended this year’s Wimbledon tournament yet, though organizers are still “hopeful” she will make an appearance before the matches end on July 14.

Instead, the royal’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, attended the high profile event on Thursday.

Carole, 69, was photographed at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club wearing a floral dress under a cream blazer while Michael, 74, sported a navy suit and yellow patterned tie.

The Princess of Wales normally attends the annual event but was notably absent as she continues her treatment for her cancer diagnosis , which she revealed in March.

Though, All England Club chair Debbie Jevans previously told Telegraph Sport in June that the club is still optimistic Kate, who has been a patron of the All England Club since 2016, will still be able to make an appearance.

“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans told the outlet.

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She continued, “We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.”

If she were to attend, it would mark Kate’s second public appearance following her diagnosis announcement after she joined the rest of the royal family in this year’s annual Trooping the Colour last month.

The Princess of Wales wore a white long-sleeved coat dress trimmed with a black bow as she rode in a carriage with her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, during King Charles III’s birthday parade.

Shortly after the event, royal expert Katie Nicholl predicted it would be awhile before fans would see Kate in anymore public appearances due to the toll the it took on her to be present at such a distinguished function.

“I think a day like Saturday where she knows the eyes of the world are on her, there is a huge amount of scrutiny that will take its toll,” Nicholl explained. “I don’t think we can expect to see her in public for a little while. That’s going to take some recovery.”

Nicholl added, “She was on her feet for a long period of time. There was a moment where she was watching the parade … and was offered a seat, which she gratefully accepted. That’s just a bit of an acknowledgement that she is not as strong, not as fit, as she was before she went into this treatment.”

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Princess Kate and Prince William's royal entourage revealed as they kick off Boston tour

The duo have embarked on a three-day tour.

The Prince and Princess of Wales rely on a whole team of people to ensure their royal tours go to plan. From Kate's personal hairdresser and stylist to the couple's private secretaries and press officers, the couple's entourage plays a big part in the success of every trip.

DISCOVER:  Princess Kate and Prince William to reunite with the Sussexes this week?

The royal couple jetted off to Boston on Wednesday for their first US visit in eight years. As they prepare for three jam-packed days brimming with royal engagements, we take a closer look at their dedicated A-team…  

WATCH: William and Kate attend spectacular parade in Jamaica

Hannah Cockburn-Logie – Private Secretary

Hannah Cockburn-Logie was appointed  as William and Kate's private secretary in June 2020. Hannah is responsible for organising Kate's diary and meetings, as well as accompanying her on engagements.

Back in April 2016, she arranged and accompanied the royals on their seven-day tour to India and Bhutan, and in March 2022, Hannah supported the royal couple throughout their Caribbean tour.

READ:  Princess Kate & Prince William's US tour: Their unusual travel companion revealed

DISCOVER:  Why Prince George, Princess Charlotte & Prince Louis' Christmas will be especially magical this year

David Watkins – Digital Communications and Social Media

David Watkins, also fondly known as ' Digital Dave ', works on Digital Communications and Social Media for the royal couple and he clearly knows his field.

He was former digital communications head for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's account Sussex Royal and also has global social media coordinator for Burberry down as a past job on his CV.

Amanda Cook Tucker – Hairdresser

Amanda Cook Tucker, the woman behind Kate's trademark Chelsea blow-dry, has styled Kate's locks for years. She even visited the hospital shortly after Prince George was born in 2013 to help style the new mum's tresses into chic, tousled waves. One thing's for sure; with Amanda on call, not a hair will be out of place. Amanda is being paid for privately by the couple.

Hannah Jones

Earthshot CEO Hannah Jones will be on hand to support Prince William and Princess Kate as they prepare for the star-studded Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony on 2 December. Hannah joined The Earthshot Prize in 2011 after 16 years as Nike's first Chief Sustainability Officer.

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Princess Kate will skip Prince William’s charity polo match today & he’ll skip Wimbledon

• July 12, 2024
• Kate Middleton , Prince William , Royals

Prince William is playing polo today, part of the annual Royal Charity Polo Cup event held every summer. Last year’s polo event was remarkable because it spawned several memes with William and Kate. They greeted each other like work colleagues and William seemed eager to get away from Kate at one point:

Kate tries to be discreet but her anger and frustration are becoming harder and harder to hide. William can't even pretend anymore. How long before their cheerleader and mouthpiece Camilla Tominey writes a new rumor about H&M's marriage to distract from this crumbling facade? pic.twitter.com/CAQnA18GwH — Julia 🐈‍⬛ (@Julia44993) July 7, 2023

Well, sad news. There will not be a repeat of that moment today. Kate is skipping the charity polo match . Kensington Palace actually confirmed Kate’s absence to the royal rota. It’s interesting because, from what I’ve seen this week, the British media has been much more focused on whether Kate will turn up for the Wimbledon singles finals this weekend, not whether she would show up for William’s charity polo match. Speaking of, the Daily Beast’s sources say that if Kate does go to Wimbledon on Sunday, she will likely go alone. Because William will be in Germany for the EURO final.

The Princess of Wales will attend the men’s singles tennis final at Wimbledon without the support of her husband on Sunday, if she is cleared by doctors to make the visit and is able to go, as she hopes. Prince William is expected to travel to Germany that day to cheer on the English soccer team in the final of the European Football Championship, which will see England square off against Spain. If they win, it will be their first international tournament victory since winning the World Cup in 1966. William is patron of Britain’s Football Association. Catherine is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and, in that role, has presented trophies at the tournament since 2016. A source told The Daily Beast earlier this week that she would “dearly love” to attend the ceremony this year. Her office have not ruled it out and Wimbledon have said they will announce if she is going to be there on the day of the finals. The men’s final is on Sunday and the women’s final is on Saturday.

[From The Daily Beast]

So, Kate is absolutely skipping William’s polo match today and William is absolutely skipping Wimbledon this year. I don’t know what it all means, honestly.

19 Responses to “Princess Kate will skip Prince William’s charity polo match today & he’ll skip Wimbledon”

This sounds like how they dealt with the messaging around the Irish Guards/ Trooping: so sorry K can’t make it to the former, she might show up for the latter.

As with the IG, I don’t believe anyone was waiting for her to come out and mingle with the polo crowd? And I suspect that W is keen not to have articles about his showing up for football and not as much for other “work” events. K appearing at Wimbledon will shield him from that, do if K is/n’t ready, there will be a huge amount of pressure for her to appear.

It’s so weird to me how much he can’t stand being around her, even now as she dealing with serious health issues. You’d think he’d be more attentive even if there are marriage problems.

Who cares at this point???? They are both such losers!

That’s how I feel. Go if you feel like it, don’t go if you don’t feel like it. I won’t be watching so i really don’t care. Please just stop the repetitive talking points trying to drum up interest and excitement for your next appearance.

Does William do any events that aren’t sport matches? Nice work if you can get it.

Day drinking?

Scaring kids?

Oh, and cosplaying soldiers, preferably pilots.

That’s about it.

Go to Tom Cruise movie premiers and showing the stars his fancy slippers.

He’ll do anything about him. Like his little documentary about the world being his and he’s going to save it. Or the homeless initiative on how he’s going to end homelessness. Or taking credit for “ending” the ivory trade because he mentioned it once.

It’s almost like he is hoping to get an award from a sports related organization

I know Wimbledon is one of her favorite “work” events but I honestly cannot see her show up for that.

Haha there are almost 8k comments at DM lots of them are seething but actually a few positive ones as well.

Good for Harry and IG!

I can see her skipping the polo match, but if he is so protective of her, why wouldn’t he come with her to Wimbledon?

He likes to protect her from afar.

What I find odd is the refusal to announce until the last minute. Even with health concerns, the finals are tomorrow and the day after next. I don’t know all the health issues but surely they know by now whether she can go. Is it supposed to be some sort of suspense? I just don’t think there is any except maybe for the rota.

If they announce and she changes her mind last minute, the cancellation would create more problems and conspiracies. So, they are probably waiting to be sure.

Whatever deal they struck up, she is owned and probably has no way out. Imagine selling your soul for a man who can’t stand you. All for a tiara and a few gold coins.

I’m grumpy this morning so I’m gonna rant about Kate & her cancer treatment. I went through preventative chemo & lived my freaking life while doing it. I hid out on days 3-4 because that’s when they tell you you’ll feel the worst. The rest of the time I worked and played and generally got on with life. I’m sick & tired of her using this as an excuse! Okay, rant over. Go. Don’t go. Who cares?! This whole thing has been a farce. William cares only for himself and football. Kate…who knows what she really thinks at this point.

No doubt an unhappy marriage, going by reports of arguments and throwing things at each other. We all, pretty much, argue at times, but this is in front of staff; if they’re openly hostile in public, how the hell do they behave in private. And throwing things is off the scale dysfunctional. (I maintain that these highly unflattering reports were put out to get ahead of an employee leaking what it’s really like.) The BRF will support W&K to the enth degree to keep their marriage on the rails; we see this already in the press reports re limiting her future appearances and scaling back on joint work. In a way I hope this isn’t the reality of their marriage. Imagine being stuck in such a situation?

So he gets polo & she gets tennis, as per their separation agreement.

That gif is one of my favourites. He just skips telegraphing who he is but the press there ignore it all.

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Royal tradition Prince William and Kate allowed Princess Charlotte to break during King Charles’ coronation

According to the wales', some rules are meant to be broken.

Rhianna Benson

When it comes to the daily antics of the British Royal Family, there are seemingly countless rules they have to follow in order to keep the names out of the headlines.

Though there are some which make perfect sense - for example, addressing the monarch properly as 'Your Majesty' , or bowing/curtsying before seniors of the family - others have proven to be rather obscure.

I mean, in the last week alone, we've been blown away to know the peculiar reason why the institution isn't allowed to eat shellfish , and why the Royal ladies must wear tights on certain occasions.

And when it comes to the children of the monarchy, it seems they have their own batch of legislation to follow.

Just yesterday, Tyla broke the news of a Royal tradition which would soon be imposed on the young Prince George upon his 12th birthday , and earlier in the week, we were shocked to learn that the high-class youngsters have to obey some pretty strict rules when it comes to playtime.

Apparently, however, some members of the Royal Family see the importance of breaking these restrictions every now and again - including the future King and Queen.

Allow us to jog your memory - last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales allowed their daughter, Princess Charlotte , to break royal tradition at King Charles III's coronation.

On 6 May 2023, Charles was officially made King, with celebrations in central London kicking off following a momentous ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Those who watched the day unfold will remember Kate Middleton rocking up to the Abbey with her and Prince William's second child and only daughter , Princess Charlotte.

The pair seemingly surprised some royal fanatics at the time for their choices of headwear, with many expecting the eight-year-old princess to be donning a tiara for the special occasion.

Such ornate accessories were typically worn by other women in the royal family at similar events in the past, with Lauren Kiehna, writer of The Court Jeweller, telling People: "Tiaras were worn by nearly every royal lady at the Queen's coronation in 1953, as well lots of aristocratic women but times have certainly changed in 70 years."

Instead of opting for a tiara, however, Princess Charlotte was seen wearing a three-dimensional leaf embroidery headpiece, which seemingly matched with her mother Kate's.

The headpiece was by designer by milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen and, while it contradicted earlier reports that she would go for a 'flower crown' as opposed to a tiara, it seemed that many viewers have been pleasantly surprised.

Delicately crafted from a silver bullion, crystal and finished with silver thread work - this accessory was definitely not your average hairband.

Sticking with the same designer, Kate wore an embroidered ivory silk dress by Alexander McQueen for last year's ceremony, with Charlotte having looked like a mini-me in a similar style dress, also by McQueen.

Topics:  Royal Family , Kate Middleton , Prince William

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

@ rhiannaBjourno

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