At the end of a tour with Kate’s wife marked by protests over the British Empire’s inheritance, William, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson, acknowledged that the relationship between the three Caribbean states and the Crown was changing. “Next year, I know you all look forward to celebrating 50 years of independence – your Golden Anniversary,” he said in a speech in the Bahamas capital, Nassau. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “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 lasts.” His speech is the clearest indication that the royal family would support the three nations to oust the queen as head of state, echoing the decision made by Barbados last November. Prince William of Britain speaks during a reception hosted by the Governor General of the Bahamas on the seventh day of his Caribbean tour at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, March 25, 2022. Paul Edwards / Pool via REUTERS read more Buckingham Palace usually says that such issues are up to locals and politicians to decide. During her 70 years on the throne – a milestone the tour was to mark – Elizabeth watched the former British colonies sever their ties, but remains queen of 15 kingdoms, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. However, the tour of William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has shed light on declining support for the Caribbean monarchy. During the trip there were protests and calls for compensation payments from Britain and an apology for the slavery. Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holnes told William directly at a meeting Wednesday that his country wanted to be “independent”. read more Some British media outlets also criticized public relations misconceptions that saw kings shaking hands with Jamaican children through wire fences and other appearances, described as “deaf” blunders by the Daily Mirror tabloid, because it said it appeared to be a return to colonialism. times. The tour’s grief reflects broader questions about the role and future of royal members back in Britain following the scandal over a sexual assault lawsuit in the United States involving Queen Andrew’s second son – settled last month – and his criticism institution by William’s younger brother. , Prince Harry. read more Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Written by Michael Holden Edited by Frances Kerry Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
