William visited the three nations during his Caribbean tour with Kate and his comments will resonate in the region where five other countries also have the queen as head of state. Speaking on the penultimate night of the Cambridge visit to the Bahamas, the future king told guests, including Prime Minister Philip Davis, that whatever the future holds, ties between the United Kingdom and the nations will “Endure”. The duke said: “Next year, I know you are all looking forward to celebrating 50 years of independence – your golden anniversary. “And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this: We proudly support and respect your decisions about your future. “Relationships are evolving. Friendship endures. “ The Barbados made the historic move to replace the Queen as head of state in November and elected their first president during a ceremony attended by the Prince of Wales. William’s comments are likely to be interpreted as a recognition of forces already in motion, as Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holnes suggested to the couple that his country be the next democracy. He told the Cambridges when he welcomed them to Kingston on Wednesday that Jamaica was “moving forward” and intended to “fulfill our true ambitions and our destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country”. A few days after the departure of the royal members from Belize, the government of the country indicated that the People’s Constitutional Commission, a new body, will consult throughout the country on the issue of the ongoing decolonization process. Henry Charles Asser, the Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform, reportedly told the Belize Parliament on Thursday: “Madam President, the process of decolonization is sweeping the Caribbean. “Maybe it’s time for Belize to take the next step towards really gaining our independence. “But it is a matter for the people of Belize to decide.”
