- Prince William and Kate are in Jamaica
- They met with the Prime Minister today
- He said Jamaica is "moving on" from the past
Prince William and Duchess Kate's royal tour has taken them to Jamaica. The Caribbean visit hasn't gone all that smoothly, as the royals have faced anti-monarchy protests amid their travels.
There have also been calls for the host nations to cut ties with the British monarchy, and it appears Jamaica plans to do just that. William and Kate met with the PM of Jamaica today, and with the royals present he said that his country wants independence.
PM of Jamaica makes strong statement to William and Kate
In a remarkable moment, Prime Minister Andrew Holness spoke about Jamaica's plans to move on from the past — with William and Kate standing at his sides. The PM spoke respectfully, but the atmosphere was a bit tense.
"We are very happy to have you, and I hope you will have seen the warm welcome of the people," PM Holness began telling the royals, who stood silently as he spoke (in video via the Daily Mail).
"Jamaica is a very free and liberal country, and the people are very expressive and I'm certain that you have seen the spectrum of expressions yesterday."
The Prime Minister then said: "There are issues here which are, as you would know, unresolved, but your presence gives opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, put front and centre and to be addressed as best we can."
He explained: "Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is very proud of our history, very proud of what we have achieved, and we are moving on and we intend to attain, in short order, our developing goals and to fulfil our true ambitions as an independent, developed, prosperous country."
Prince William and Duchess Kate both nodded gently as Holness finished speaking. It was likely not what they were expecting on their visit for Queen Elizabeth's 70th year on the throne.
Also interesting:
A peek into their excursion!
"Sad time for all"
It suits her perfectly
Jamaica was under British rule for over 300 years until it gained independence in 1962. But the country kept the Queen as head of state at the time.
Before the PM's speech today, reports were already emerging that Jamaica intends to cut ties imminently with the British monarchy. People magazine reported the movement is "gaining traction," and they want financial reparations and an official apology for the colonial era.
Barbados was the most recent Commonwealth Realm to remove the Queen as head of state, doing so in 2021. Despite William and Kate's visit, Jamaica could be next.
