Controversial Caribbean trip: William and Kate react differently to protests

On their Caribbean trip, Duchess Kate and Prince William have to experience how heavy the royal burdens can be – and how delicate dealing with colonialism is. They answer in their own way.

While it’s not her place, it’s his duty: Duchess Kate is forced to exercise restraint on the trip to Beliz, Jamaica and Co. Any open words directed at protesters demanding atonement for the British monarchy’s role in the slave trade would be taken as an affront. But her fans rate silence as cowardice: After all, the 40-year-old is considered a beacon of hope for a more modern, more tolerant royal family.

And Prince William? He is traveling to the Caribbean as a representative of the Queen. It is seen as his duty not to simply smile at the ongoing protests. It is therefore not surprising that the British media unanimously reported on Wednesday that the Queen’s grandson would make a statement in a speech.

William says slavery ‘should never have happened’

And so it happened. The 39-year-old spoke of his “deep sadness” over slavery during a speech on Wednesday evening, stressing that it was despicable, “should never have happened” and would “stain our history forever”. The island’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, had previously announced that Jamaica was planning to pursue its goals as an independent country.

Referring to this in his speech, William described Jamaica’s plans for the future: “While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and steadfastness.” Can that be understood as encouragement for the Caribbean island state with its almost three million inhabitants or is it just a description of the state of affairs? The ambiguity in this question alone should already be taken as a concession.

Especially since his wife also consciously chose her chance and made a moving statement on another matter. Because when the couple visited a hospital and school on the fifth day of their Caribbean trip, Kate spoke up. Speaking to some local student teachers, she said: “You, as teachers, are at the forefront of this important work and play a critical role in shaping our societies, positively impacting the futures of literally thousands of young people over the course of your career.”

Kate: School helps ‘develop a sense of identity’

No political statement, but at least a pointer. She added: “Decades of science and research have shown us that our earliest experiences form the fundamental foundations that shape and connect our future lives.” And then it got really interesting again. The Duchess said school teaches you to “develop a sense of identity.” She chose these words shortly after the prime minister stressed his unwavering will to become independent.

The former British colony was once the hub of the slave trade. According to reports, a reparation claim in the billions is in the room. The fact that William and Kate reacted with different speeches for the first time in view of the demonstrations that were visible in many places shows that the criticism cannot be ignored.