Prince Harry gets the party started in Belize

PRINCE Harry became a rum-drinking, street-dancing, crowd-pleasing royal during his first encounter with the people of Belize.

The prince had come to name a street in honour of his grandmother the Queen and to sample the country’s culture as he began his Diamond Jubilee tour in tribute to the monarch.

But he left protocol behind and enthusiastically bonded with the locals during a walkabout at a “block party” staged to celebrate his grandmother’s 60-year reign.

The party prince knocked back shots of rum, played the fool as he sampled local dishes, danced with women and left others screaming his name as he went on a walk-about yesterday.

He charmed the crowds during a speech, joking with a heckler who told him to speak louder and telling the audience they were “stuck” with him representing the Queen.

When the third in line to the throne took the hand of Denese Enriquez, 36, who was part of a Kriol performance, he told her: “Let’s dance a little bit – not too much.”

Dressed in a traditional Belize shirt, a gift from the governor general Sir Colville Young, Harry twirled the creative arts development officer.

The pair shimmied as the crowds watched, but Enriquez later confessed that at one moment “he lost me there with his move”.

But she praised Harry, saying “he was just smiling, which was great because it looked like he was enjoying himself”.

Harry told the crowd of about 2,000: “Her Majesty has asked me to send her good wishes to you all.

“She remembers so fondly her visits to this beautiful realm and speaks of the warmth of welcome she received on her most recent visit in 1994. I’m only sorry she can’t make it and you’re stuck with me.”

He was greeted with cheers from people on his right, which he dubbed “the noisy corner”, when he said: “When it became clear that I was to represent my grandmother in Belize, my heart leapt – for a good reason.”

The prince then encouraged the listeners on his left, saying: “A bit more noise on this side, please.”

Harry went on to praise the Queen, telling the audience: “Though I am her grandson, I know I speak for everyone when I say, Your Majesty, you are an inspiration to us all. And it, therefore, just remains for me to name this street Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard.”

He received a cheer from the crowd when he spoke a few words in Kriol to get the event started – “Mek wih go paaty” – let the party begin.

Harry was then treated to some of the cultural and culinary highlights of Belize.

The prince will also join a reception of Royal British Legion members and Belizean Second World War veterans, before laying a wreath at the memorial to British soldiers who have died in Belize.