The Prince of Wales marked the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing by expressing his gratitude and emphasising that the contributions of the Windrush generation to Britain “cannot be overstated”.
The HMT Empire Windrush first arrived in England on 22 June 1948, docking at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing passengers from the Caribbean who responded to Britain’s call to address labour shortages following the war.
Prince William stated that Britain is a better country due to their descendants choosing to stay and becoming “part of who we are in 2023”.
In a video shared on social media, he said, “This Windrush Day, we mark 75 years since the Empire Windrush laid anchor at Tilbury Docks. Many of the young people on that historic voyage knew Britain well. They had fought by our sides in World War II."
The prince continued, acknowledging both the struggles and triumphs of the Windrush generation, "They and the generation of Commonwealth citizens who followed in their footsteps, chose this country to start new lives. We know they experienced hardships. But they also experienced joy; and life did indeed change for them and their families. But these voyagers also gave to our nation, helping to rebuild our country and adding to our culture.”
“Their contributions to the Britain we know now cannot be overstated," Prince William declared. “We are a better people today because the children and the grandchildren of those who came in 1948 have stayed and become part of who we are in 2023. And for that we are forever grateful. Today we celebrate the Windrush generation, their descendants and everything they have given to us all.”
The 75th anniversary is being commemorated with numerous events throughout Britain, including a national service at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday.
However, this celebration comes against the backdrop of the Windrush scandal that erupted in 2018, where numerous British citizens, predominantly from the Caribbean, were denied healthcare and benefits access and faced deportation threats, despite having the right to reside in the UK.
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