UK’s Prince William says he wants to serve after Caribbean criticism
LONDON (Reuters) – Prince William has stated he’s dedicated to service and “not telling folks what to do” after a tour of the Caribbean that was marked by protests over the British empire and criticism that the journey mirrored a throwback to colonial occasions.
William launched the assertion on the finish of an eight-day tour together with his spouse Kate to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas that included protests and requires reparations funds by Britain and an apology for slavery.
Some British and worldwide media have additionally criticised some photographs from the tour, such because the royals shaking fingers with Jamaican kids by way of wire fences and standing on an open-top car to watch a navy parade that recreated a picture of Queen Elizabeth doing the identical factor within the Nineteen Fifties.
“I do know that this tour has introduced into even sharper focus questions in regards to the previous and the longer term,” William stated. “In Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, that future is for the folks to determine upon.”
William, second in line to the British throne, had travelled to the Caribbean with Kate to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years as monarch. Nevertheless it got here as some nations take into account reducing ties with the British monarchy and after Barbados dropped the 95-year-old queen as head of state and have become a republic.
Elizabeth stays queen of 15 realms, together with Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
William, whose official title is Duke of Cambridge, stated he and his spouse wished to serve.
“For us that is not telling folks what to do. It’s about serving and supporting them in no matter manner they suppose finest, by utilizing the platform we’re fortunate to have.”
He added that he was additionally not eager about who would lead the Commonwealth of Nations, a bunch of 54 nations, nearly all of that are former colonies of the UK, which is primarily targeted on selling democracy and growth.
The queen is the top of the Commonwealth and whereas the position isn’t hereditary, it can go to William’s father and inheritor to the throne, Prince Charles.
(Reporting by Kate Holton; Modifying by Gareth Jones)
