The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, continued their visit to Jamaica on Wednesday, a day government representatives took advantage of the presence of members of the British Royal Family to demand compensation for slavery.
Guillermo and Catalina visited this Wednesday in Saint Andrew, a town near Kingston, the Shortwood school, where they were received by Claudette Barrett, the institute’s director, and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education secretary, Maureen Dwyer.
The local press highlighted the Duchess’ elegance for the visit, where she opted for a white suit with a touch of orange, while Prince William opted for a blue shirt and pants.
Despite the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s agenda for the day, William and Catherine’s visit to Jamaica has caused discomfort among some residents of the Caribbean nation, who are demanding an apology and redress for the slavery damage they suffered as a colony. under the British monarchy.
GOVERNMENT FOCUS ON REPARATION
Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender and Entertainment, Olivia Grange, said that although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Jamaica, the government remained focused on achieving reparations for the Caribbean nation.
Grange, speaking to the press, said that the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Jamaica would not change their country’s approach to injustices perpetrated against their ancestors.
“They are our guests and we will make them feel at home, but that will not distract us from the injustices against our ancestors. We are looking for reparations and we are focused on achieving them,” Grange stressed.
Prince William and his wife Catherine visited Trenchtown, the Kingston neighborhood where reggae legend Bob Marley was born, shortly after landing in Jamaica on Tuesday, where they will make a three-day visit to the island as part of the greater Caribbean region. to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
applause for william
During the visit to Trench Town, a standing ovation was given to the future king of England as he took to the community football pitch with Raheem Sterling, a Jamaican-born Manchester City player, and Leon Bailey, from Aston Villa, the two teams from the country’s premier competition. Europe.
Hours earlier, dozens had gathered outside the British High Commission in Kingston to sing traditional songs while holding up banners urging Britain to apologize for slavery.
“There was a historic error and it needed to be addressed,” said Rosalea Hamilton, one of the rally organizers who read out 60 Reasons to Repair.
The royal visit to the Caribbean countries is seen as London’s attempt to convince other former British colonies, including Belize and the Bahamas, to remain under the British monarchy amid a growing regional movement towards republicanism.
AGAINST SEVERING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MONARCH
Political activist Karen Cross is among those who oppose Jamaica breaking with the British monarchy.
Cross argues that both royalty and English, whether they like it or not, are part of Jamaican culture.
The Duke and Duchess’ visit to Belize is the first by a member of the British royal family since 2012, when Prince Harry traveled to the country as part of the Elizabeth II Silver Celebration.
Apart from Belize and Jamaica, the dukes will also visit the Bahamas for three more days.
Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas were British colonies in the past and, even though they became independent decades ago, Elizabeth II continues to hold the head of state.
