The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew into a political storm in Jamaica on Tuesday as they were met by a protest calling for reparations from the British monarchy.
On the second leg of their Caribbean royal tour, the royal couple arrived to a full ceremonial welcome, but faced critics from Republicans in the island country where the Queen is still monarch.
Prince William and Kate, who earlier waved farewell to Belize, touched down on the RAF Voyager in Kingston and faced more backlash from anti-monarchists.
Politicians and business leaders have signed an open letter calling for an apology for British colonialism and reparations for slavery.
MPs have been calling for an end of the Queen’s reign there to coincide with the 60th anniversary of their independence this summer.
“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, written by the Advocates Network, states.
A Palace source said: “They are aware of the situation and the protests and the Prince will acknowledge the issue of slavery in his speech tomorrow.”
They had been forced to cancel visit in Belize due to protests over colonialism.
William, 39, and Kate, 40, are visiting Jamaica - as well as two other Realms, the Bahamas and Belize where the Queen still reigns.
In November, Barbados made the move to become a republic, axing the 95 year old monarchy as losing the Queen as head of state.
Since then Jamaica’s Andrew Holness prime minister has confirmed his own country would now be keen to follow up crucial support for the Monarchy in the region.
In November, Prince Charles visited Barbados for a ceremony to mark its historic decision to remove the Queen as head of state.
