pectacular video has emerged of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge swimming with sharks as they went scuba diving in Belize.
Video and images of the diving trip, which was understood to have happened at the weekend, were posted on the Royal couple’s Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon.
“Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world,” they said in a message along with the video.
“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,” they added.
In a further tweet posted on Tuesday evening, the couple revealed they went diving on Sunday at South Water Caye, directly above the “spectacular” Belize Barrier Reef.
“It was a privilege to see for ourselves the world-leading ocean conservation work being done here,” they said.
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.
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.
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 ImagesDemonstrators 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.