The Duke of Cambridge has signalled any decision by Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas to break away from the British monarchy and become republics will be supported with ‘pride and respect’ in a landmark speech alongside his wife Kate at a glittering state reception.
On the sixth day of their tour of the Caribbean, the future king said the Royal Family ‘respect the decisions’ of countries like The Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize when it comes to their future in a nod to the critical ‘colonialism’ commentary and protests that accompanied welcoming crowds.
Since beginning their tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Cambridges were greeted like rock stars by the public – but politicians, including the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, used meetings to make clear in public they will push for the island to be a republic with a referendum this year.
There was also a protest outside the British High Commission by republicans also demanding slavery reparations from Britain and the royals.
Speaking at the black-tie reception hosted by the Governor General of the Bahamas, Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith, William said: ‘Next year, I know you are all looking forward to celebrating fifty years of independence – your Golden Anniversary.
‘And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year, and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this: We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future.
‘Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.’
At the evening reception, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a stunning Grace-Kelly style gown that looked worlds away from this afternoon’s wet regatta.
Kate dazzled in a bespoke Grecian floor-length gown by British couturier wedding designer, Phillipa Lepley, paired with a £225 blue satin Hayworth clutch bag by Lulu Guinness, whilst William donned a suave blue velvet blazer and bow tie at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar hotel in Nassau.
The duchess paired her chic look with glittering silver stilettos and matching mother of pearl jewels by luxury French brand Van Cleef & Arpels, which together retail for nearly £13,000. The necklace and drop earrings are from their Magic Alhambra collection.
The royal couple have attended a reception hosted by the Governor-General during which they will have the opportunity to meet community leaders and notable people from across The Bahamas’ many islands.
Kate and William also had the opportunity to talk to Miss Bahamas World 2021 winner, Sienna Evans, who represented the country at the 70th Miss World pageant last week in Puerto Rico.
The Duke of Cambridge has signalled any decision by Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas to break away from the British monarchy and become republics will be supported with ‘pride and respect’ in a landmark speech alongside his wife Kate at a glittering reception
The Duchess of Cambridge has stepped out in a stunning Grace-Kelly style gown and looks a world away from this afternoon’s wet regatta as she and Prince William attend a glittering dinner on the final stop of their Caribbean tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Kate dazzled in a Grecian floor-length gown by British couturier wedding designer, Phillipa Lepley, paired with a matching box clutch bag, whilst William donned a suave blue velvet blazer and bow tie
The duchess paired her stunning look with matching mother of pearl jewels by luxury French brand Van Cleef & Arpels. The necklace and drop earrings are from their Magic Alhambra collection
On the sixth day of their tour of the Caribbean, the future king said the Royal Family ‘respect the decisions’ of countries like The Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize when it comes to their future in a nod to the critical ‘colonialism’ commentary and protests that accompanied welcoming crowds during their tour
Prince William and Kate laugh together as they attend a reception hosted by the Governor General at the Baha Mar Hotel in Nassau
Kate’s stunning icy blue dress has been likened to the gown Grace Kelly (left) wore at the 1954 Academy Awards, when she won an Oscar for best actress for her role in The Country Girl
The duchess walked the red carpet with her husband for the evening dinner reception at the Bahamar Beach Resort in Nassau
Kate also had the opportunity to talk to Miss Bahamas World 2021 winner, Sienna Evans, who is set to represent the country at the 70th Miss World pageant in Puerto Rico
The floor-length icy blue gown is by British designer Phillipa Lepley, who is London’s go-to couturier for stylish dresses
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Belize, Jamaica, and The Bahamas on their week-long tour, which finished tomorrow
The royal couple have attended a reception hosted by the Governor-General during which they will have the opportunity to meet community leaders and notable people from across The Bahamas’ many islands
William wore a suave blue velvet blazer that has a black trim, paired with a white shirt, bow tie and black suit trousers
The duchess walked the red carpet alongside her husband Prince William ready to attend a reception hosted by the Governor General at the Baha Mar Hotel in Nassau
The couple will meet community leaders and people from across the Bahamas’ many islands, on day seven of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee
The duchess paired her stunning look with glittering silver stilettos and kept her hair down in her straight signature style
The duke made some last-minute alterations to his bow tie before walking the red carpet alongside his wife
Pictured: The royal couple attended the Governor General’s Reception at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas
William also spoke to Miss Bahamas World 2021 winner, Sienna Evans, at the reception, which was hosted by the Governor-General at the Baha Mar Hotel
Kate laughed and held hands with Ms Evans as they chatted at the reception, which was hosted by the Governor-General at the Baha Mar Hotel
Pictured: William and Kate have a glass of champagne together at the evening reception
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the Governor-General’s Reception in Bahamar Beach Resort, in Nassau, The Bahamas on March 25
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception hosted by the Governor General of the Bahamas Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith
Pictured: The duchess smiles at well wishers as she leaves the glittering reception in Nassau
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the red carpet as they prepare to leave the reception
Since beginning their tour to mark the Queen ‘s Platinum Jubilee , the Cambridges were greeted like rock stars by the public – but politicians, including the prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, used meetings to make clear in public they will push for the island to be a republic with a referendum this year
The couple appeared to be in good spirits as they chatted to guests atthe reception
Pictured: William and Kate attend a reception hosted by the Governor General at Baha Mar Resort
Kate and William had the opportunity to meet community leaders and notable people from across The Bahamas’ many islands
Pictured: The pair get out of their car, which is marked with a Royal crown emblem, to walk the red carpet
The Duke of Cambridge’s speech comes after he used the royal visit to Jamaica to tackle Britain’s historic role in the slave trade, describing it as ‘abhorrent’ and a ‘stain on our history’.
William expressed his disgust at the ‘appalling atrocity’ that has left such a heavy legacy in Jamaica and expressed his ‘profound sorrow’ that it had ever happened to Jamaican dignitaries in a keynote speech.
He said: ‘I strongly agree with my father, The Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history. I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened. ‘
He continued: ‘While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude.
‘The strength and shared sense of purpose of the Jamaican people, represented in your flag and motto, celebrate an invincible spirit.
‘It is this same spirit that spurred on the Windrush generation, who came to the United Kingdom to help rebuild after the Second World War.
‘We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society.
‘I’m delighted that a national monument acknowledging and celebrating the Windrush generation by Jamaican artist, Basil Watson, will be unveiled later this year in Waterloo Station in London.’
Today’s engagements come a day after William and Kate were told the world will likely never again see a reign as long as the Queen’s 70 years as they began the final leg of their eventful Caribbean tour.
The Cambridges arrived in the Bahamas from Jamaica on Thursday, where they were greeted by ecstatic crowds in Bob Marley’s former Kingston neighbourhood and faced strong criticism from campaigners seeking reparations from the monarchy for its role in the slave trade.
The Bahamas National Reparations Committee (BNRC) also voiced its concerns about the royal visit, issuing a strongly worded document a few days ago.
The organisation claimed the monarchy ‘looted and pillaged our land and our people for centuries, leaving us struggling with under development, left to pick up the pieces.’
The archipelago of 700 islands and islets was the first stop in the western hemisphere for the famous explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Centuries later the now prosperous islands became independent from Britain in 1973.
But like many parts of the globe, resentment against colonialism and its legacy has been growing amid the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement, and in Belize the venue for a royal visit was hastily re-arranged after anti-royal sentiment and protests in a village.
Earlier today Prince William and Kate greeted crowds and local fishermen earlier as they walked along Montagu Bay in New Providence on the final stop of their Caribbean tour.
Kate was pictured wearing a white polo shirt and cream-coloured chino shorts, which she paired with her white Superga trainers that she previously wore in Belize, whilst William donned a casual blue shirt and black shorts.
In the choppy waters, the duke sailed to victory in a race against Kate today during a rain-affected regatta in The Bahamas to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee.
William set sail in an iconic Bahamian sloop named the Susan Chase, whilst Kate boarded a vessel named the Ants Nest II. She also sported a white cap once she was on board with her crew mates that had the boat’s name on in red writing.
His boat came in about five minutes ahead of four others including one featuring the Duchess of Cambridge, who suffered the ignominy of coming in last with her crew.
It was a second consecutive victory for William, who beat his wife in the King’s Cup charity regatta off the Isle of Wight in 2019 when they last raced on the water. On that occasion her boat was disqualified.
Kate triumphed when the ultra competitive couple raced yachts in New Zealand in 2014.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a quick outfit change to board a yacht at one of the first sailing regattas in The Bahamas since the start of the pandemic
Pictured: Prince William and Kate walk towards a boat during the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta on the seventh day of their tour
Kate was pictured wearing a white polo shirt and cream-coloured chino shorts, which she paired with her white Superga trainers that she previously wore in Belize, whilst William donned a blue shirt and black shorts
The royal couple were pictured on the yacht appearing to hold a sail up for cover from the rainy weather
Kate Middleton was in hysterics with crew members, as they all wore hats of the vessel’s name Ants Nest II
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their way to attend The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay
Racing against one another, William set sail in an iconic Bahamian sloop named the Susan Chase, whilst Kate boarded a vessel named the Ants Nest II
Kate sported a white cap once she was on board with her crew mates that had the boat’s name on in red writing
Pictured: Prince William and Kate wave to excited crowds as they attend The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge waved to crowds as she attended the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta with her husband Prince William
As the royal couple each set sail, crowds gathered on the beach to see them race against each other in the sea
Kate spoke to local fisherman and looked at their catch of the day as she and William walked along Montagu Bay in New Providence
The duchess smiles at the crowd as she attends the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta with Prince William
The couple sported similar looks for The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay on March 25
The Duke of Cambridge waves to cheering crowds on a boat as he stands alongside his wife Kate Middleton
The royal coupe raced against each other in the choppy waters. William’s boat came in about five minutes ahead of four others including one featuring the Duchess of Cambridge, who suffered the ignominy of coming in last with her crew
It was a second consecutive victory for William, who beat his wife in the King’s Cup charity regatta off the Isle of Wight in 2019 when they last raced on the water. On that occasion her boat was disqualified. Kate triumphed when the ultra competitive couple raced yachts in New Zealand in 2014
The pair waved and smiled to cheering crowds as they reached land, despite their clothes being sodden from the boat race
The duchess was in hysterics as she laughed with her crew mates aboard the Ants Nest II
Kate was also pictured holding a newborn baby during a royal walkabout with Prince William as the couple continued their protest-hit tour of the Caribbean with a visit to a school in the Bahamas amid torrential downpours.
The royal couple greeted crowds who gathered in Parliament Square before attending the colourful Junkanoo Carnival in Nassau to celebrate the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee alongside the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, and his wife Ann-Marie.
Kate was pictured speaking to a mother in the crowd and cradling her baby’s head before the iconic street parade, which featured locals wearing colourful costumes and dancing to music.
This morning, the couple took a trip to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau this morning where they dropped in on a class to meet pupils and staff, and joined the morning assembly – with the Duchess of Cambridge joking that they had brought ‘England’s rain with us’.
Kate, who was wearing a dress by Self Portrait and jewellery by Bahamian designer by Nadia Irena, said as she walked under an umbrella in the rain: ‘Oh my gosh. The weather, sorry, we’ve brought England’s rain with us.’
And William also quipped: ‘We’ve brought the weather, haven’t we?’ In fact, the UK is enjoying unseasonably warm weather today as temperatures reached 19C (66F) and people flocked to beaches across southern England.
Today’s assembly saw children from schools across the Bahamian islands dial in to meet the couple. Schools in the Bahamas were closed for nearly two years from March 2020 until January this year because of the pandemic.
In a speech during the assembly, Kate told the children: ‘I hope you didn’t get too wet coming here and apologies for bringing this British weather with us.’ The Duchess added: ‘Thank you so much for such a warm welcome.’
She said the couple’s three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ‘all love being by the sea’, adding: ‘So I hope they will be able to experience your clear waters and beautiful beaches before too long.’
Kate said ‘the last few years have not been easy for many of you’. Appearing emotional, she added: ‘One of the hardest things I think we’ve all found about the pandemic was being separated from the people we love. But we’ve also had the chance to rediscover how important our families are and how important our friends are too.’
The Cambridges also spent time with key workers and frontline staff in an informal gathering in the Garden of Remembrance, also in the capital.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid tribute to frontline workers who had battled through the pandemic and shared their methods for coping with trauma.
Kate spoke to medial staff from the Princess Margaret Hospital about the relationship between physical and mental fitness, after successive lockdowns in the UK due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Dr Thomas Smith told the Duchess how community services had been rocked by the pressures of the pandemic and his worries for people’s mental health.
They wave from a boat during the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta on the seventh day of their Caribbean tour
The royal couple get ready to board a boat at the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta on day seven of the Royal Tour
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to local fisherman who showed off their catch of the day
The sailing regatta in The Bahamas went ahead today despite the choppy water and rainy weather
Following the race, William and Kate came back to land with their clothes drenched in water
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Belize, Jamaica, and The Bahamas on their week-long tour, which ends tomorrow
Kate tied her back into a sleek ponytail for the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay
The Duchess of Cambridge stood alongside eight crew members of the Ants Nest II vessel after the race with her husband William
Earlier, the royal couple greeted crowds who gathered in Parliament Square before attending the colourful Junkanoo Carnival in Nassau to celebrate the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee alongside the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, and his wife Ann-Marie
Kate is pictured onboard a boat from the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay, one of the first sailing regattas in the Bahamas since the start of the pandemic
he Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee
Pictured: Well-wishers cheer and wave at the arrival of Prince William and his wife Kate, holding up Union jack flags with the Queen’s face on
Kate is pictured smiling as she attends the Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta with Prince William
Pictured: Well-wishers cheer and wave at the arrival of Prince William and his wife Kate, holding up Union jack flags with the Queen’s face on to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee
The duchess is pictured onboard a boat from the Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta
The royal couple walk by excited crowds for The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay on March 25
he Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Belize, Jamaica, and The Bahamas on their week-long tour
He said: ‘We are seeing a bigger need for those types of services, especially in a community setting. It’s been tough mentally on many people.
‘Our services really are from cradle to grave so we cater for everyone but it’s important to recognise a need for those community relations as well.’
Kate said: ‘That’s so right. We have to look after our mental fitness as well as the physical side. I think people recognise that more and more.
‘This is the perfect opportunity to have that conversation – and early intervention is really important too.’
William on the other side of a line up of community groups from The Bahamas in the Garden of Remembrance, behind the Parliament Building.
The duke spoke members of the Bahamas Red Cross who had battled the effects of the devastating Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and then were deployed to deal with covid bases.
He said: ‘You guys have had it pretty full on. Two such seismic events but now an opportunity to rebuild for the future.
‘And I suppose that’s where you guys come in again with your expertise.’
Listening the mood he said:
‘We don’t want any more disasters for you, let’s hope The Bahamas Red Cross has a boring few years!’
Christine Lightburn from the BRC said of William: ‘He gets it. He really does. You can tell. He knows the pressures of the job and our roles.
‘Nothing could prepare us for when Dorian came but by god’s grace we had others to come to help us.
‘Prince William recognised that need for collaboration.’
William relayed some of personal experiences with the team from MEMS – the emergency medical services – telling them of his memoirs of working as an aura ambulance pilot.
He said: ‘Catherine and I have been doing out best to raise awareness about mental fitness. It’s okay to say if you’re not feeling great.
‘When I was in the air ambulance there were plenty of times where I had an experience where I would come back at the end of the day and not be able to explain why I was feeling what I was feeling.
‘I think it’s important to recognise this and realise it’s not normal. And it’s important to recognise you should access any help you can if it’s out there.’
Kate, 40, also spoke to youngsters from the Governor General Youth Award, a programme for young people between 12 and 18 similar to the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
She said: ‘I remember it being such fun.
‘We would go off for what seemed like days.
‘Tell me what were the good bits?
‘I remember going in the holidays which was less distracting when all your friends were there.’
Kate Middleton poses with a newborn during a walk to meet crowds at a parade in Nassau, The Bahamas during the Royals third and final stop on their 2022 Platinum Jubilee Caribbean Tour
The Duchess of Cambridge is pictured holding the baby’s head as she talks to the mother following the parade
Duchess of Cambridge, greets a young performer during the traditional Bahamian Jankadoo celebration at Parliament Square in Nassau
Performers watched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Junkanoo carnival in Parliament Square in Nassau, Bahamas, on day seven of her tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee
The Duchess of Cambridge with the wife of the Prime Minister of the Bahamas Ann-Marie Davis
The Duchess of Cambridge watches a Junkanoo carnival in Parliament Square in Nassau on day seven of her tour of the Caribbean with her husband Prince William
The Duchess of Cambridge plants a tree during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau, Bahamas, to meet pupils and staff and to join the school’s morning assembly
The Cambridges will also spend time with key workers and frontline staff in an informal gathering in the Garden of Remembrance, also in the capital, to hear about their experiences of the pandemic
The Duke of Cambridge is pictured meeting with Key Workers at the Garden of Remembrance, Nassau
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for their visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in heavy rain as she visits Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to children at Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge shakes hands with a student during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau, Bahamas, to meet pupils and staff
The Duchess of Cambridge shakes hands with a student during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join a morning assembly at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold up their hand during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge visits Sybil Strachan Primary School on day seven of the Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean
The Duchess of Cambridge puts down her umbrella during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to children at Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles in the heavy rain under an umbrella for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School today
Prince William and Kate arrive for a visit of Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge carries out a royal visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge holds up her hand during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles during for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose with children during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
Royal biographer Robert Jobson, who is accompanying the royal party as a journalist on the trip and on their flight, said: ‘It is easy to criticise the tour organisation from afar.
‘My honest appraisal from somebody who has covered these Royal tours for 30 years is they haven’t perhaps adapted with the times.
‘The couple are here at a difficult time. In Belize and particularly in Jamaica moves are afoot to end ties with the monarchy and kick out the Queen as Head of State.
‘But there is no intention of them leaving the Commonwealth of which She is head and Prince Charles will lead too.
‘William and Kate haven’t put a foot wrong. The do called incident at the fence in Trench Town has been grossly misrepresented.
There was a fence around a football pitch and hundreds of youngsters wanting to meet the players, including Raheem Sterling, as well as the royals.
They all went over to say hello and shake hands. If they hadn’t they could have been accused of snubbing them.
On the bigger picture, the four was always going to be a diplomatic minefield. At this time feeling more like a handover than a traditional tour.
In the Caribbean the Black Lives Matter movement that started in such tragic circumstances in the nearby USA has had an impact.
The criticism of a former British colonial past has been loud, the call for reparations over slavery louder.
Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the school in the Bahamas today during the tour on behalf of the Queen
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are shown a painting of the Queen at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau following their visit today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge outside Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge holds a bouquet of flowers during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke of Cambridge arrives in heavy rain as he visits Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles in the heavy rain under an umbrella for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School today
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the school in the Bahamas today during the tour on behalf of the Queen
The Duke of Cambridge arrives in heavy rain as he visits Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duchess of Cambridge holds an umbrella in the rain in the Bahamas today during the tour of the Caribbean
The Duchess of Cambridge wears a face mask during for a visit of Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are shown a painting of the Queen at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
Prince William watches as the Duchess speaks on stage during a visit of Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles in the heavy rain under an umbrella for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School today
William and Kate’s final event in the birthplace of Reggae music was being guests of honour at a passing out parade for new officers in Kingston, which was a throwback to royal tours of the 1950s with the couple standing in the back of a Land Rover as they were driven from the parade ground.
Philip Davis, prime minister of the Bahamas, welcomed the couple to his nation on Thursday and told them: ‘And our best wishes are sent to the Queen, and congratulations on her Platinum Jubilee.
‘I do not think we will see the same again’, to which William nodded.
Mr Davis also told the future king, who travelled to Belize with his wife during their tour: ‘We have been looking forward to your arrival. It’s long overdue. We are delighted you are here.’
The duke replied: ‘Yes very much, excited to be here.’
The Caribbean nation is overshadowed by its giant neighbour America but its beautiful beaches and mild climate are a big draw for tourists, while its offshore financial services industry is also a major revenue generator.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in the rain for a visit of Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pictured during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a visit of Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join a morning assembly at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are shown a painting of the Queen at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles in the heavy rain under an umbrella for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School today
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas today
Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at Sybil Strachan Primary School at Nassau in the Bahamas this afternoon
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in the rain for a visit to Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
Both Charles and William have expressed their disgust for slavery but the Queen’s government has not yet given them the nod to make a full-blown apology or even to mention reparations.
There may come a time when that will be addressed, but the Government, who takes the lead on these delicate issues, have not yet decided when.
In truth, William and Kate have tiptoed through this diplomatic minefield with grace. They both knew, as did their team, that it wouldn’t be easy. Timing and events have seem to that.
It’s clash with the horrors of the war in Ukraine have not escaped the couple. William’s speech’s have been genuine and well received.
The view inside the camp from William and Kate would be to keep calm and carry on. It may be an old fashioned saying, but it works. They have a job to go and they are doing it.
Robert Jobson is the author of the upcoming book, William at 40: The Making of a modern monarch.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to meet people in the Bahamas today despite the heavy rai
Security guards ride motorcycles in the rain ahead of the visit by Prince William and Kate to the school in Nassau today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to meet people in the Bahamas today despite the heavy rain
A car driving the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrives in the pouring rain at Sybil Strachan Primary School in Nassau today
People run to get out of the rain ahead of the visit of Prince William and Kate to the school at Nassau in the Bahamas today
Officials shelter from the rain while waiting for Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to arrive in Nassau today
Musicians and dancers perform as they wait for the arrival of the Duke and Duchess at Parliament Square in Nassau today
People wait for the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Nassau today on the seventh day of their tour
A senior British diplomat supporting the Cambridges complained to the BBC today that criticisms of the tour had been ‘really unfair’ – but others claimed the royal couple and Britain had been ‘humiliated’ at times because of poor planning.
Others insisted William and Kate will have ‘expected dissent’ because ‘times have changed’, especially because of the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, meaning the tour had gone well.
But there have been several missteps, including pictures of the couple shaking hands with black children through a wire fence in Trench Town, Jamaica. Yesterday the couple were accused of taking part in ‘colonial-style’ photo opportunity by riding around in a 1953 Land Rover inspecting troops, with William wearing military uniform.
And the future king was accused of being ‘tone deaf’ and not showing the ‘courage’ to apologise for the slave trade in a landmark speech. The opening event in Belize had to be postponed because of protests.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk