Kate Middleton, Prince William: More Details About Controversial Caribbean Tour Revealed

Prince William and Kate Middleton completed their controversial royal tour of the Caribbean on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II last week "with grace" despite the protests and backlash the couple faced, according to a journalist.

Simon Perry, People's chief foreign correspondent who has covered several of the couple's tours over the years, shared new insight into the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visits to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas from March 19 to 26, during which they were met with protests about colonialism and demands for an apology and reparations for Britain's role in the slave trade.

Being at the center of controversy was a "marked change" for Prince William and Middleton, but the couple "seemed to handle it with grace," Perry wrote in a piece for the outlet.

The correspondent noted that while it appeared as if Prince William and Middleton were "largely only welcomed with smiles and sheer joy" when they visited Trench Town, Jamaica, and Nassau, the Bahamas, the "difficulties bubbling below the surface had begun on day one" of their tour, which kicked off in Belize.

In addition to a protest staged by Belize villagers over the royals' visit, Prince William and Middleton also faced criticism over pictures of them in Jamaica greeting and shaking hands with children who had been watching the duke take part in a soccer match through a wire fence.

According to Perry, however, shortly after those pictures were taken, Prince William and Middleton were "surrounded by excited young people, many of who repeatedly shouted, 'We love you,'" when they visited the Bob Marley museum.

Despite the controversy, Perry said that he and others covering the tour witnessed "the joy from those who met the couple, the continuing charm of William and Kate, their deep commitment to those they spoke to or their attentiveness."

Perry recounted Middleton, whom he said had been battling jetlag, approaching him at the soccer field in Trench Town and telling him, "You had to rush here for the football!"

The correspondent also shared some insight into how the "deeply united" duke and duchess "have fun together."

During the couple's last reception in the Bahamas, where the duchess had a "Cinderella" moment, Middleton and Prince William returned to greet each other after talking to other guests. The prince held out his hand in a mock "pleased to meet you" greeting, and said, "Ah, hi," prompting Middleton to laugh and fall into him with his handshake, according to Perry.

The royal couple wrapped their arms around each other's waist and later briefly and discreetly held hands as they left the reception, the correspondent said.

The royal tour had marked not only the couple's first joint official overseas tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but also the first time in years that they had been away from their three children — Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3 — for a long period of time.

Prince William and Middleton "found it refreshing to have a few child-free days" to themselves, but by the end of the trip, they "couldn't wait to get back and hug them again," an unnamed source told Us Weekly.

While they were not able to bring their children along for the trip, the couple had their little ones in mind throughout their tour. Prince William and Middleton FaceTimed their kids while they were in the Bahamas and showed them glimpses of where they were staying, People reported.

An unnamed source told the outlet that the little royals were stunned by the views of the Caribbean Sea from their parents' penthouse suite at The Cove at the Atlantis Bahamas Resort. Prince William and Duchess Kate reportedly told their kids that they "can't wait" to bring them to the country for a trip in the future.