Temple visit proves hot work for Harry on Jubilee tour

The royal was taken to the long abandoned city of Xunantunich – home to the sophisticated Maya people as he continued his Diamond Jubilee tour.

Harry arrived at the popular tourist attraction by car, and as he emerged from a group of trees, before him was the impressive complex of stone pyramids, palaces.

The Prince was taken on a private guided tour of the site which was home to up to 10,000 people who lived in the surrounding countryside.

Archaeologists have been deciphering the history of the city and its inhabitants for decades and have focused on its central piece, the towering Castillo complex.

It contained the palaces and private shrines of the rulers before it was abandoned between AD 950-1000.

Harry climbed the steep stone steps of the Castillo pausing occasionally to take in the view behind him and when he reached a midway point he disappeared as the steps took him around the side of the monument.

He was spotted at the summit high above the jungle canopy and stayed there for around 20 minutes. The Prince came down from the top of the monument sweating and with his shirt sticking to his back as the conditions were hot and humid.

Waiting for him were a group of traditional dancers who performed a “deer dance” about hunting the animal, which has symbolic significance.

Earlier Harry launched a canoe named in the Queen’s honour, which will take part in future river races, a strong Belizean tradition.

Before leaving the Prince visited a military barracks to see displays of weaponry and talk to members of the Belizean Defence Force.

He was also guest of honour at a reception for Royal British Legion members and Belizean Second World War veterans, and laid a wreath at the memorial to British soldiers who have died in Belize over the years.