The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were accused of taking advantage of the “blood, tears and sweat” of slaves as they arrived in Jamaica to be met by a protest demanding the reparations of the British monarchy.
William and Kate will celebrate the culture and history of the island, where in recent years politicians have been called upon to oust the Queen as head of state and to become a republic, and for a formal recognition of slavery.
Anti-colonial sentiment has grown in the Caribbean against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has inspired many around the globe to fight for equality.
Protesters gathered outside the British High Commission in the Jamaican capital Kingston, with a poster read by a little girl: “Kings, queens and princesses and princesses do not belong in fairy tales in Jamaica!”
A royal source said the duke was aware of the protests and expected to address the issue of slavery in a speech Wednesday night during a dinner hosted by the Jamaican governor general.
Opal Adisa, a Jamaican human rights lawyer who helped organize the demonstration, also called for an apology, saying: “Kate and William are beneficiaries, so they are actually accomplices because they are positioned to benefit specifically from our ancestors. , and we do not benefit from our ancestors.
“The luxury and the lifestyle that they had and that they continue to drive all over the world for free at no cost, that is a result of my great-grandmother and grandfather, their blood and tears and sweat.”
The Advocates Network coalition of Jamaican politicians, businessmen, doctors and musicians has written an open letter with 60 reasons why the monarchy should compensate Jamaica to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Adisa said an apology was the “first step towards healing and reconciliation”.
She added: “You know we have nothing personal against Kate and Prince William, and also the Queen, for that matter, but we’re just saying you did wrong, and it’s been a long time since you admitted .that you have done wrong and if you do, correct.
In contrast to the angry scenes, the couple posted videos on social media of them diving into sharks in the waters off Belize following a private invitation from the country’s government to watch conservation for the world’s second largest barrier reef they recover.
The footage was released a few hours before the couple arrived in Jamaica, where opposition leader Mark Golding apparently wants to tell the Royals that many Jamaicans want an apology from the monarchy for their role in transporting people from Africa. and the Caribbean.
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As they climbed out of the Voyager Ministry jet, the couple received an official but warm welcome to Jamaica, but it was the windy conditions that tied the Duchess to her flowing dress in case it was lifted by gusts.
While the Duke took the salute of an honor guard formed by Jamaican Defense Forces troops, the Duchess stood near a marquee that rattled in the wind as she held on to the hem of her yellow maxi dress by Roxsana.
She laughed with a dignitary standing next to her as she struggled against the conditions before her trip to Trench Town, the Kingston neighborhood where reggae big Bob Marley grew up.
The royal couple were the subject of protests in Belize, the first stop of their Caribbean tour, with opposition to a royal tour of a chocolate farm forced to cancel the event and quickly arranged for another venue.
Golding was invited to a royal event in his constituency of St Andrew South at the Governor – General’s dinner, where William will give his speech.
He told Gleaner, a Jamaican national newspaper, “I hope to have the opportunity during the events I will attend to have that dialogue with them and to bring it to their attention in a polite and respectful manner. that this held the view of many Jamaicans. “
The leader of the People’s National Party added: “And that I think it would be helpful for both the royal family and Jamaica to consider this as a means to move into a new future.”
The Prince of Wales addressed the “appalling cruelty of slavery”, describing it as “something that stains our history forever” last November, as he attended the ceremony marking Barbados’ historic transition to a republic .
The royal family has been involved in the transport and sale of people for profit for centuries, with Elizabeth I. involved in the lucrative trade of John Hawkins, one of Britain’s first slave traders in the 16th century.
When his first adventure proved successful and his ships returned with goods, she supported his future expeditions by providing ships to carry the human cargo.
The links between the royal family and slavery continued with Charles II, who encouraged the expansion of the slave trade.
He granted a charter to a group of men, the Royal Adventurers, who later became the Royal African Company, and the Monarch and the Duke of York invested their private funds in the venture.
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