They were previously warned to avoid ‘phoney sanctimony’ over slavery
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been met with fierce opposition on the second leg of their Caribbean tour, with many calling for an end to colonialism.
Despite Prince William vowing to “to rip up royal rulebook” following protests in both Belize and Jamaica, Edward and Sophie have been met with similar displays of resistance. On Saturday, arriving in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Royals found a dozen protestors wielding placards that read “end to colonialism” and “#CompensationNow.”
Other signs read “down with neo-colonialism” and “Britain your debt is outstanding.”
The Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission had previously urged Edward and Sophie to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over slavery.
"We must not shake hands and smile with criminals. These colonial visitors should be made uncomfortable," Jomo Thomas Chambers, chair of St Vincent & Grenadines Reparations Committee, said of Prince Edward and Sophie's tour. pic.twitter.com/8FzIDMfk98
— Nadine White. (@Nadine_Writes) April 24, 2022
“We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you that these crimes are a ‘stain on your history’,” the group said in a letter. “For us, they are the source of genocide and of continuing deep international injury, injustice and racism. We hope you will respect us by not repeating the mantra. We are not simpletons.”
View this post on Instagram
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre, elected in September 2021, had also called for “urgency” while talking to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Caribbean countries like ours that were exploited and underdeveloped to finance the development of Europe have put forward a case for Reparations for Slavery and Native Genocide and we expect that case to be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves,” he said.
Multiple protests during Prince Edward, Sophie's visit to St Vincent – https://t.co/CwCElm90YU pic.twitter.com/yAGrKEJxBO
— St Vincent Times (@stvincenttimes) April 23, 2022
Pierre also slammed “the double standards in the international system” in “acknowledging and compensating victims of crimes against humanity.”
Related links:
- Jamaica expected to ask for billions of pounds in reparations over Britain’s role in slavery
- Will and Kate cancel trip to Belize after protests over ‘colonial legacy’
- Queen is looking for someone to paint Buckingham palace for £30,000 a year
