The representation trip has caused outrage among activists.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine visited the capital of Jamaica, Kingston, on Tuesday, March 22nd. aop
Prince William and Duchess Catherine are currently on a mission to the Caribbean. They have visited Belize, just arrived in Jamaica and next go to the Bahamas.
Not everyone has been happy about the couple’s journey. Both Belize and Jamaica have had anti-British monarchy protests. The countries are independent but belong to the British Commonwealth. There is a painful history between the countries, as slave labor was once exported to Britain by the former colonies.
The last of the Caribbean countries, Barbados got rid of the Commonwealth and thus Queen Elizabeth as its ruler last year. Now the same measure is being considered in Jamaica, which makes the time of William and Catherine’s visit embarrassing. Many Jamaicans also want Britain to compensate Jamaica for the damage caused by slavery.
William and Catherine dressed in the colors of the Jamaican flag when they met with Governor-General Patrick Allen and his wife Patricia. aop
The organizers of one demonstration say Mirrormagazine that the visit of a couple of dukes is a disgrace.
– We do not support the monarchy, because there is a direct link between monarchy, slavery and colonialism, they have fully benefited from the shackles of slavery. We know that the people responsible for it have benefited, and our ancestors have not been taken into account at all, there has been no Nora Blake says.
– If I could meet Prince William face to face, I would ask him to apologize to the people of Jamaica so we can move forward.
William is expected to comment
Blake clarifies that the protesters do not oppose William and Catherine personally, but the monarchy they represent. The compensation requested does not necessarily mean money.
– We do not specifically ask for money, there are other ways to promote our development, but the prosperity represented by Britain and the monarchy does not get us into the festive wind, and we do not apologize in the middle of this ill-timed and planned mission.
Human rights activist Opal Adisa agrees.
– Kate and William are involved because in their position they benefit from our ancestors, and we do not benefit from our ancestors. Their luxurious lifestyle and travel are thanks to the blood, tears and sweat of my great-great-grandparents, Adisa says.
During the trip, the duchess met, among others, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. aop
According to Mirror’s unnamed source, the duke is aware of the protests, but they are not really affected by Jamaica’s transformation from a monarchy to a republic. William is expected to take a stand on the history of Jamaican slavery in a forthcoming speech he plans to hold at a ceremony in Kingston, Jamaica.
The couple’s trip has also been documented on their official Instagram account, but no negative attention has been mentioned in the publications.
The Advocates Network, an association of human rights activists and organizations, has written an open letter to William and Catherine listing 60 reasons why the monarchy should apologize to Jamaica and pay compensation. The letter is supported by 100 people, including Jamaican politicians, business leaders and church leaders.