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<\/p>\nThe Duchess of Edinburgh has come face-to-face with the “king of spiders” in the Peruvian Amazon.<\/p>\n
Sophie brought her hand to her chest, mouth and forehead and appeared nervous as she inspected the Goliath birdeater – the biggest tarantula in the world.<\/p>\n
She looked at the large spider, which was resting on top of a leaf held by one of the professional Amazon guides, before handling the leaf herself and looking down at the creature.<\/p>\n
The duchess was joined by guides Rey Mozombite and Daniel Macedo, who explored the dense forests and also took the chance to hold a green anaconda snake.<\/p>\n
The duchess held the biggest tarantula in the world<\/p>\n
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Sophie is on a 10-day trip across South and Central America<\/p>\n
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Sophie then toured a gunboat built in the UK over a century ago.<\/p>\n
She was shown around the BAP America, the oldest river gunboat in the world, while visiting the Inquitos Naval Base.<\/p>\n
The boat was built in Birkenhead in 1904 and served in the Peruvian Navy’s Amazon flotilla, which has been on show at a museum since 2015.<\/p>\n
The 60-year-old is currently touring large parts of South and Central America, stopping off in Panama, Guatemala and Belize.<\/p>\n
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Sophie was shown around the BAP America, the oldest river gunboat in the world<\/p>\n
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During the first day of her visit to the South American nation, the duchess met with women from the indigenous Awajun, Shipibo-Konibo and Kukama Kukamiria tribes who have played a role in defending women’s rights.<\/p>\n
She explained how the women have taken on leadership roles, contributing to territorial governance and tackling climate change.<\/p>\n
The duchess then attended a dinner to mark the UK’s first year of implementing a biodiverse landscape programme.<\/p>\n
The fund is designed for sustainable production and bio-business in the Andes and Amazon regions.<\/p>\n
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The tarantula is known as the ‘king of spiders’<\/p>\n
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The duchess is currently on a lengthy 10-day trip across South and Central America, with the Foreign Office requesting Sophie’s presence in Peru, Panama and Guatemala.<\/p>\n
Sophie will be away until November 19, as she focuses on encompassing diverse diplomatic and humanitarian objectives.<\/p>\n
On the trip, the 60-year-old will meet high-ranking Panamanian Government officials, acknowledging the nation’s partnership with the UK on international issues, particularly regarding conflict-related sexual violence.<\/p>\n
Her Guatemalan schedule includes observing civil society organisations that assist survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
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Sophie will be venturing out across South and Central America until November 19<\/p>\n
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Sophie will tour a charity dedicated to helping at-risk youth in Guatemala and witness indigenous-led conservation programmes in the Maya Biosphere Reserve’s isolated and ecologically rich areas.<\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Realm of Belize marks the final destination, where Sophie will participate in Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations, recognising the nation’s cultural diversity.<\/p>\n
This diplomatic mission follows closely after Prince William’s return from Brazil, where he attended the Earthshot Prize Awards.<\/p>\n