William and Kate face fresh protests in Jamaica over slavery reparations ahead of trip
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Caribbean tour has been met with further protest – with Jamaican campaigners accusing the Royal family of perpetuating slavery. It comes after the Royals cancelled a major visit to a Belize village at the start of their Caribbean tour following opposition from local residents, which forced a royal trip to a farm on Sunday to be scrapped.
As Jamaica marks its 60th independence anniversary later this year, a coalition of politicians, business leaders, doctors and musicians have called in an open letter for the British monarchy to pay slavery reparations.
“We note with great concern your visit to our country Jamaica, during a period when we are still in the throes of a global pandemic and bracing for the full impact of another global crisis associated with the Russian/Ukraine war,” the letter states, according to a section quoted by The Independent’s race correspondent Nadine White.
“We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension of your grandmother to the British throne because her leadership, and that of her predecessors, has perpetuated the greatest human rights tragedy in the history of humankind.”
It is believed the protest will coincide with the Duke and Duchess' visit to the country on Tuesday, where they are expected to stay until Thursday when they will depart for the Bahamas.
During their first full day in Belize on Sunday, the couple toured a cocoa farm and danced during a cultural visit to a nearby village.
The Cambridges were on Monday due to visit stunning ancient Maya ruins deep in the heartland of Belize.
William and Kate will be given a tour of the site and have the chance to take in Caana, or sky palace, which remains the tallest man-made structure in Belize.
The Duke visited Belize as a teenager in 2000, when he reportedly learned jungle survival techniques with the Welsh Guards who were receiving training from the British Army Training Support Unit as part of Exercise Native Trail.
William was beginning a gap year before university at the time and while in the jungle, the then 18-year-old Duke learned his A level results.
The last engagement of the day will see the couple attend a reception hosted by the Governor General of Belize at the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech, near San Ignacio.
This special reception will be held in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and William will give a speech.