Duchess Holds World's Largest Spider in Peruvian Amazon

On a 10-day official visit to South and Central America, the Duchess of Edinburgh recently ventured into the Peruvian Amazon and encountered some of the region's most fascinating wildlife. The highlight of her jungle trek was a close encounter with the Goliath birdeater, the largest tarantula in the world.

The duchess appeared nervous as she inspected the massive spider, which was resting on a leaf held by one of the professional Amazon guides. However, she soon overcame her initial hesitation and held the leaf herself to get a closer look at the "king of spiders." The duchess also had the opportunity to hold a green anaconda snake during her biodiversity nature walk.

In addition to the spider and snake, the duchess spotted a sloth resting in the trees and took photos of the animal as it curled itself around the branches. Her journey through the dense Peruvian forests showcased the region's remarkable biodiversity and wildlife.