The Earl and Countess of Wessex were greeted with protests calling for reparations for British colonialism in the second phase of their Caribbean tour.
Edward and Sophie were initially welcomed during a visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but a group of about 15 protesters displayed placards as they made their way to the island’s government building on Saturday.
Banners displayed included “End of Colonialism” and “Compensation Now”.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the second destination of their one-week Caribbean tour. The royal couple visited Saint Lucia on Friday – days after the section of their trip to Grenada was postponed to 11 o’clock.
This comes after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge clashed with protesters during their recent tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
The role of the monarchy is highly contested in the Caribbean. Barbados ousted the queen as head of state last year, and other nations will follow suit.
After Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Wessex will travel to Antigua, where more controversy can be expected.
This comes shortly after warnings from the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Commission, which called on Edward and Sophie to avoid “false priesthood” in slavery.
In an open letter to the couple, the organization said: “We hear the false priesthood of those who were before you that these crimes are a stain on your history.”
“For us, they are a source of genocide and continuing deep international injuries, injustice and racism.
Banners reading “End of Colonialism” and “Compensation Now” at a small protest against the visit of the Earl and Countess of Wessex to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Edward and Sophie were initially welcomed during a visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Pictured: Wessex during a visit to the Government House in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
The Countess of Wessex meets with members of the dance company La Gracia in Saint Vincent and the Municipal College of the Grenadines on Saturday
A group of about 15 protesters (pictured) raised a sign reading “Reparation Now” when the Wessex family arrived at the government building in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday.
Despite the warm welcome, today’s visit came after another Caribbean country warned the couple to avoid “false priesthood” on slavery
Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex greet admiring spectators in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines today as they reach the second destination of their seven-day Caribbean tour
The red carpet was stretched again when Earl and the Countess of Wessex arrived at Argyll International Airport on Saturday as steel drums playing Bob Marley’s One Love greeted them on the island.
Countess of Wessex duck from a bird of prey during a visit to the aviary – before eating it from the palm of her hand
A national bird hangs over the head of the Countess of Wessex during a trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Countess of Wessex had nearly broken her sunglasses from a Caribbean-friendly bird during her tour of the aviary.
Sophie was invited to see the national bird of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Amazona guildingii, as part of a visit to the country’s botanical gardens on Saturday.
When she entered the aviary, the countess did not notice a bird resting in the cage above her.
Before being followed into the enclosure by her husband, the Earl of Wessex, it descended just above the top of her head, forcing her to bend immediately.
Her sunglasses fell forward on her face from the laughter of those present.
Eventually, Sophie got used to Amazona guildingii, and by the end of her tour of the aviary, she fed them from the palm of her hand.
“We hope you will respect us by not repeating the mantra … We are not nonsense.”
Other posters used in Saturday’s protest included “down with neocolonialism” and “Britain, your debt is outstanding.”
The demonstration comes shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been criticized for some elements of their recent Caribbean tour, believed to be going back to the colonial days.
Prior to the protest, Edward and Sophie received their second red carpet and honor guard on the tour after landing in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday as scouts, girls leaders and cadets waved the national flag.
The Countess of Wessex chose a light floral dress for the visit, which she combined with heeled sandals and a suede bag in bright colors.
Sophie wore two gold bracelets and kept her hair tied back in an elegant way.
Steel drums playing Bob Marley’s One Love were the backdrop to the couple’s official welcome on the island.
The reception for the couple was initially friendly and they were presented with a bouquet of flowers by Ashly Church Elementary School student.
Before standing on a platform to watch the honor guard, Edward was greeted by Governor-General Dam Susan Dugan, followed by Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel.
The couple fulfilled separate commitments for part of their one-day trip to the island.
Sophie, who wore a floral dress on Saturday, visited a public college, where she was welcomed by dance company La Gracia.
The dancers, all of all ages, performed a short performance for the Countess of a song with lyrics such as “Welcome to St. Vincent.”
She posed for photos with the children before heading to several stalls located next to the college theater.
The Countess then met with representatives of two organizations – the People with Disabilities and the Society for the Blind.
Sophie, who is a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, included him as part of her schedule to continue her work, defending the need for support and equality for blind and partially sighted people.
She also sat down with representatives of women’s groups and business leaders to hear about their experience from last year’s eruption of La Soufriere volcano.
As part of her goal of upholding the need for support and equality for the blind and visually impaired, the Countess will meet with representatives of two organizations, the People with Disabilities and the Society for and for the Blind.
Prince Edward during the ceremonial welcome at Argyll International Airport in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Prince Edward is outraged by a medal in one of the winners of the 100 meters and a sprint in the 70 meters in honor of the platinum anniversary
The two must plant a tree to mark the Queen’s 70s as monarch before hearing about the reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Throughout the day, the couple performed individual engagements as part of their day trip to the island
Prince Edward visited the national stadium on the island, where he met with athletes training for the British Community Games in Birmingham
When the royal couple arrived in Argyll, Sophie hurried to greet groups of excited scouts and girl guides who lined the red carpet, all waving the colorful flags of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
At the same time, Edward visited the national stadium on the island, where he met with athletes training for the British Community Games in Birmingham.
He is watching two sprint races held in honor of the platinum anniversary.
The earl also watched the end of the T10 women’s cricket match and met with some of the country’s netball and tennis teams.
Later Saturday, after the couple has lunch with the governor-general and acting prime minister of the islands, they will visit the botanical garden.
The two must plant a tree to mark the Queen’s 70s as monarch before hearing about the side’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before leaving, Edward and Sophie will go to the Prime Minister’s residence to meet with the Acting Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet.
The reception for the royal couple was extremely friendly and they were presented with a bouquet of flowers by a student at Ashley Church Primary School (above) on arrival by plane.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the second destination of their one-week Caribbean tour. The royal couple visited Saint Lucia on Friday – days after the section of their trip to Grenada was postponed to 11 o’clock
The latter comes after the couple’s trip to Grenada was canceled after consultations with the island’s government and the governor-general.
Although there is a certain sense of the country that secured independence from Britain in 1974, inevitably progressing to become a republic one day, this is not a nation where the issue is particularly prevalent today.
But sources say long discussions with the Grenadian government and local officials to ensure the Wessex route meets the tour’s goals – to celebrate the island’s heritage and current successes, and to mark the Queen’s platinum anniversary – are led to problems.
As a result of these discussions, Governor-General Cecil La Grenada advised that the trip be postponed.
She did not want to discuss the specifics of the problem yesterday, but one aide said, “All I can say at this point is that it was a mutual solution.”
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