By James Simons And Victoria Mckeown-
The Duke of Cambridge has humbly and honourably spoken of his “profound sorrow” over slavery during a speech at a dinner in Jamaica.
Prince William said slavery was abhorrent, “should never have happened” and “forever stains our history”. His comments came in response to the island’s prime minister ‘s comments that the arrival of the royals was an opportunity for the country to address “unresolved” issues, including reparations and the removal of the Queen as the head of state. “Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is very proud of our history and very proud of what we have achieved.
The royals’ arrival on Tuesday was preceded by a demonstration outside the British High Commission, at which protesters called for an apology and an acknowledgment of how the family has benefited from slavery.er, Andrew Holness, told the future king his country planned to pursue its goals as an independent country.
“Slavery was abhorrent and it never should have happened,” Prince William said. “I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history.”
William also made reference to the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which is 25 March, and expressed gratitude to the Windrush generation, Jamaicans who came to the UK to help rebuild after the second world war. “We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society,” he said.
The royals’ tour of the Caribbean has been greeted with protests and anti-colonial sentiment, after citizens called for an apology and reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.
Critics in Jamaica said the Prince’s expression of sorrow was commendable, but pointed out it remained a far cry from sorry.
Such an apology is not for the heir to the throne to make, but rather a governmental issue.
The call for an apology over slavery has been made several times in the past, but the provision of one would likely open up a can of worms. A can of worms that could spill into other countries, but which may have to be confronted some day. Only a sitting government can handle that political task, though understandable that Jamaica would expect that of the royal family.
The Monarchy traditionally doesn’t get involved in politics, though formal statements of contrition regarding past events are within the remit of members of the royal family.
Prince William and Kate Middleton with Prime Minister Andrew Holness Image: PA
Whilst on the topic of the call for an apology, there was no mention of a call for an apology by beauty queen turned politician, Lisa Hanna, who appeared to blatantly snubb Kate Middleton , after the endearing Duchess attempted to speak with her , while sporting a cheerful smile.
Some observers believe it was an unspoken retaliation for a past alleged snubb, Middleton gave to Meghan Markle during the Commonwealth Day service held in 2020 at Westminster Abbey and attended by both the Cambridges and the Sussexes. Others believe the snubb was symbolic of her political stance in relation to issue of reparations and Jamaica’s call for total independence.
No evidence exists to support either of the two theories, and the former beauty princess eventually posted on Instagram, what appeared to be a positive message to counteract circulating theories about the visible snubb shared widely on social media. She was contacted directly on instagram by The Eye Of Media’s social media’s handler on instagram, as was her People’s National Party on phone, for a comment over the perceived snubb, and events of the day.
British Trade
The British slave trade was most dominant between 1640 and 1807 , after which it was abolished. It is estimated that Britain transported 3.1 million Africans (of whom 2.7 million arrived) to the British colonies in the Caribbean, North and South America and to other countries.
Slavery began in Sumer or Sumeria and spread into Greece and other parts of ancient Mesopotamia into the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq, from around Baghdad to the Persian Gulf. China and India later adopted the practice of slavery around 221 BC.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica, Prince William praised the spirit of the island that “makes it so special” as well as addressing the UK’s role in slavery.
“While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude,” he said.
The prince added the Queen had a deep affection for the country and said he had been touched to hear from Jamaicans about their affection for his grandmother in her Platinum Jubilee year.
Imani Duncan-Price, a former senator and signatory of the letter, said: “It is commendable that the prince acknowledges that the appalling atrocity of slavery stains [their] history. As modern royals who understand the growing consciousness of the world about racist systems like slavery and colonialism and the sustained impact on the descendants, [we ask] that he would encourage his family to move to action on Reparations. There’s a saying in Jamaica, ‘action not a bag a mout’. Time for the crown and the government of England to deal substantively with the matter of reparations.”
Reparations refer to some level of compensation to victims of slavery and/or their descendants. Reparations can take numerous forms, including individual monetary payments, settlements, waiving of fees, and systemic initiatives to offset injustices.
Jamaicans are yet to set out the precise form they expect reparations to take, and the forms prescribed may need to be assessed for reasonableness and practicability.
Researcher and analyst, Amber Smart, told The Eye Of Media.Com: ‘The challenge of making reparations is that once you compensate one country, all countries affected will want to be compensated equally. The problem is where it ends once it starts, but I think the people of Jamaica want to at least see some token made in the way of reparations.
It is impossible to fully compensate every country affected by slavery, bearing in mind that slavery was virtually world wide during different times in history’.
The issue of reparations is something that can only be dealt by the government.
Prince William dealt with the protest and agitation in Jamaica very honourably, and with the utmost dignity.