Colonialism Debate and Local Protests Cast Shadow Over Caribbean Tour For Prince William and Duchess Kate
As Prince William and Duchess Kate prepare to land in Belize for the start of their Caribbean tour on behalf of the Queen, growing criticism and tensions have created a rocky start for the couple’s first overseas tour in over two years.
A number of engagements during the eight-day visit to Belize, Bahamas, and Jamaica have been revised at the last minute after protests erupted ahead of the Cambridge’s arrival.
Kensington Palace confirmed today, March 19, that the couple’s first planned engagement at a cacao farm in Belize has been cancelled at the last minute after locals staged a protest about the Royal Family’s colonial ties and William and Kate’s plans to land a helicopter in a community sports field “without permission.”
On Friday, residents from the indigenous Mayan village of Indian Creek in the Toledo District gathered in front of local media to hold up signs reading “colonial legacy of theft continues with Prince” and “not your land, not your decision.”
Another sign read, “Prince William, leave our land.” A number of men and women went on to express their anger at a section of their land being roped off without their permission to make way for the royals to arrive.
The indigenous Mayan village of Indian Creek in southern Belize are protesting the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Belize. (Maya Culture-Belize) pic.twitter.com/kEGRcoNstC
— ABOLISH DI MONARCHY 🇧🇿 (@kevinjohnchen) March 18, 2022
Upon discovering the news, Kensington Palace officials quickly cancelled plans to visit the Akte ‘il Ha farm in the Toledo District, which a Belize Government spokesperson tells BAZAAR.com the palace planned to use as an opportunity to “showcase Maya family entrepreneurship in the cacao industry.”
Belize’s Channel 7 reported that villagers were “deeply offended” at not even being consulted ahead of the royal visit. “The problem is—it’s in Indian Creek village—which has been in open conflict with Flora and Fauna International which owns an adjoining, contested property,” the news outlet reported. “More than that, Prince William is a patron of that conservation organization.”
The TV network added that the background to the situation comes amid ongoing tensions between citizens and the state about the “meaning of consent in the context of communal land rights—rights to lands that were expunged in the colonial period by the British.”
The controversial and painful history of colonialism in the Caribbean is expected to be a topic that follows William and Kate as they carry out their visit. Though the official purpose for the tour is to honor the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, it is also hoped by the palace that it will also persuade countries not to follow Barbados’ recent decision to ditch the monarchy.
In November, Prince Charles visited Barbados to witness the historic moment that the country removed the Queen as head of state. With Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence later this year, there are already growing calls, particularly amongst younger people, to become a republic.
Regardless of the outcome, don’t expect to hear from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the matter. BAZAAR understands that local journalists and media outlets have already been briefed not to try and speak with the couple and have been told that there will be no interview opportunities.
William and Kate—who left the UK on Saturday morning in an RAF Voyager plane—are due to arrive in Belize later today and will be welcomed at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport by the country’s Governor General Froyla Tzalam before traveling to the centre of Belize City for an official meeting with Prime Minister Johnny Briceno.
Sources say the couple’s tour program hopes to serve as a “charm offensive” to win over residents across the Caribbean at a time when many are unsure about keeping a royal head of state.
Highlights of the three-country tour will see the Cambridges—who are traveling with a 15-person entourage including hair stylist Amanda Cook Tucker—renew their sporting rivalry as they take part in a sailing regatta in the Bahamas in a nod to Prince Philip, who an Honorary Commodore and an Honorary Life Member of the Royal Nassau Sailing Club. And in Jamaica, the couple will see some of the island’s work with the early years childhood development as well as helping celebrate local music and sporting achievements during a special event.
“These are three countries with which Her Majesty has an extremely warm relationship, following multiple visits throughout her reign,” says a Kensington Palace spokesperson.
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