View of last minute preparation for ceremony to rename a boulevard as Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince Harry arrived in Belize today for the start of his Diamond Jubilee tour in honour of the Queen.

Harry's seven-day visit to the Caribbean and Central America is his personal tribute to his grandmother's 60-year reign.

The Royal Family is marking the monarch's milestone with a series of foreign tours during the year with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelling to the Far East and the Pacific.

The Prince, a newly qualified Apache helicopter pilot, is said to be excited about his first overseas solo tour on behalf of the Queen.

Harry's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton has said: "The tour's itinerary reflects - with its mixture of formality and informality - Prince Harry's wish to pay personal tribute to his grandmother the Queen, but also to spend time wherever possible with young people in all three countries.

"As you would expect, the Prince is hugely looking forward to representing the Queen and he will bring his own brand of enthusiasm and energy to every event."

The royal will tour Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica - the sovereign's realms, countries where she is head of state - and then travel to Brazil from March 9 to 11, an additional leg separate from the jubilee celebrations and undertaken in support of the Government and his charity Sentebale.

Highlights of the trip will see the Prince line up on the starting blocks next to the world's fastest man sprinter Usain Bolt in Kingston, Jamaica and play volleyball on one of Rio's famous beaches.

Harry will be greeted by prime minister Hubert Ingraham and a guard of honour when he arrives in Belize City later today and then travel on to the capital Belmopan to call on the governor-general Sir Colville Young.

The royal will get a taste of Belize culture when he is guest of honour at a lively street party on a new road which he will formally name - HM Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard - before joining in the festivities.

The event will showcase a wide variety of Belizean music and food, representing the many cultures that make up the country's society.

Before leaving, Harry will give his first speech of the tour.