Prince William

Prince William recalls 'mortifying' memory of being in Belize jungle with British Army

The Duke of Cambridge has recalled the "mortifying" moment he was informed of his A-Level results while in the jungle with the British Army in Belize.

Prince William is on a tour of the Caribbean alongside Kate and visited the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) on Monday, where he brushed up on his jungle survival skills and drank rainwater from a vine.

But it wasn't the future King's first experience of the Belize jungle – the first was when he was just 18 at the start of his gap year in 2000.

In a speech, the Duke revealed how his A-Levels were read out over a military radio while he was surrounded by British soldiers.

"I was lucky enough to come here when I was 18 with the British Army to do some jungle training just after I left school," William said.

"My overriding memory of that visit was receiving the results of my final school exams – my A-Levels – while I was in the jungle.

"It really was mortifying having my grades read out over a military radio with a whole bunch of soldiers listening in.

"Thankfully, the results weren't too bad," he added.

The Duke and Duchess spent more than 90 minutes on a crash-course version of the survival techniques taught to British soldiers who up to eight weeks in the Belize jungle — The Duke and Duchess spent more than 90 minutes on a crash-course version of the survival techniques taught to British soldiers who spend up to eight weeks in the Belize jungle (Picture: PA/Alamy Stock Photo).

William said the couple's visit brought that memory "flooding back".

During the trip to BATSUB, William took another trip down memory lane as he was reunited with his former Sandhurst sergeant major who now runs the jungle unit.

The Royal couple have now left Belize after a four-day visit and are in Jamaica for the next leg of their Caribbean tour which is marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

BATSUB has had a presence in Belize since the country became independent from Britain in 1981.

It employs more than 100 local civilians and offers tropical environment training to British, Belizean and international troops.

The unit carries out up to five close combat exercises each year, as well as hosting the final exercise of the tough British Army Platoon Commander's Battle Course.

Watch: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet British troops in Belize.