Prince William and Kate will arrive in the Caribbean today on a royal charm offensive.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aim to capture hearts and minds in Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica.
It is hoped their trip will persuade the three nations to keep The Queen as head of state - unlike nearby Barbados, which became a republic last year.
They intend to engage with historic cultures by going head to head in a sailing regatta and dancing to Jamaican legend Bob Marley’s tunes.
In the Royal Family’s first major overseas tour since the pandemic began, William and Kate’s eight-day tour will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Kensington Palace said it will also celebrate the relationship between the individual nations and the Queen during her 70-year reign.
It added that the trip will “take in projects being undertaken to address challenges faced by local communities”.
There will also be a focus on issues the Duke and Duchess care passionately about including the environment and early childhood development.
The couple are due to kick off the tour in Belize this afternoon.
On Monday they will travel to Caracol, the ancient Mayan archaeological site deep in the Chiquibul Forest.
They will then visit a farm in the foothills of the Maya Mountains and learn about the precious barrier reef along the country’s coastline.
William will also take a trip down memory lane when he and the Duchess spend time with the British Army Training Support Unit in the jungle. In 2000, William spent time with Batsub under the guidance of the Welsh Guards.
The royals will also walk in the Queen’s footsteps as they retrace her journey to the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech, near San Ignacio, where Her Majesty visited in 1994.
On Tuesday in Jamaica, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence later this year, William and Kate will watch the Jamaica Defence Force in action.
Later they will watch the Jamaica Defence Force in action.
Kate will also visit a teaching college to learn about Jamaica’s work on early years development of children, a subject close to her heart and a keystone of her campaigning work in recent years.
In The Bahamas on Friday the couple will go head to head during the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta.
They will also visit a coral farm that focuses on reef restoration. The farm was awarded £1million last year as one of five winners of the Duke’s inaugural Earthshot Prize.
A spokesman for the Cambridges said: “The Duke and Duchess are very much looking forward to visiting the Caribbean region during the Platinum Jubilee year and having the opportunity to thank communities across Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas for the support they have shown Her Majesty throughout her reign.
“These are three countries with which Her Majesty has an extremely warm relationship, following multiple visits throughout her reign.
“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’ programme will focus on celebrating the rich cultures that are unique to these three countries.”
The royals’ attention is needed now more than ever after Barbados became a republic within the Commonwealth last November.
The island, popular with tourists and a destination for the rich, was settled by the English in 1625. The monarch remained head of state after independence in 1966.
The Queen was said to feel sadness at the departure of the island known as “Little England”, in a ceremony that was watched by a “regretful” Prince of Wales.
A source said: “The Duke and Duchess will no doubt be aware that those people they meet and engage with throughout the trip have the capacity to determine whether or not they will reign as king and queen of those nations in the future.”
There had been nervousness within the palace about whether the conflict in Ukraine would stop the trip going ahead.
Both the Cambridges and the Prince of Wales have spoken out in horror over Russia ’s brutal invasion of its peaceful neighbour.
William and Kate described how their children have been affected by the Ukrainian refugee crisis during a visit to a relief centre in London.
Speaking to volunteers at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Holland Park, West London, William, 39, said: “We are all behind you.”
A spokesman for the couple said they remained “alive” to the ongoing crisis.
