Protests Continue On Kate And William’s Tour Of The Caribbean

Reports suggest another demonstration is planned for tomorrow morning, with protesters calling for slavery reparations.

Kate Middleton prince William

by Bonnie McLaren |
Updated on

Protests have disrupted Prince William and Kate Middleton's tour of Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas. The couple are currently on an eight-day tour of the Caribbean{ =nofollow}, as part of celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. But many have viewed the tour as a means to try and dissuade other nations becoming a republic, after Barbados parted ways with the Queen last year.

Over the weekend, Kate and William were set to tour a cacao farm in Belize, but this was cancelled, due to protests from villagers. One reason for protest was a dispute over 'contested property' between residents of Indian Creek village and Flora and Fauna International, a conservation charity which William is a patron of. Protestors were holding up signs which read 'colonial legacy of theft continues with Prince' and 'not your land, not your decision'. And according to Belize media outlet Channel 7, residents were not consulted about where the Cambridges were going to land their helicopter, which was reportedly on a football pitch.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that due to sensitive issues involving the community in Indian Creek, the visit has been moved to a different location. Further details will be provided in due course.'

The Belize government said in a statement: 'Indian Creek was one of several sites being considered. Due to issues in the village, the government of Belize activated its contingency planning and another venue has been selected to showcase Maya family entrepreneurship in the cacao industry.'

There is also set to be another protest later this week, with demonstrators calling for slavery reparations, according to The Independent. The publication reports that a protest will happen tomorrow morning, near the British High Commission, in Jamaica's capital, Kingston, and has been organised by the Advocates Network, a human rights coalition of Jamaican activists and equalities organisations.

It's expected - according to Bazaar - that neither Kate or William will comment publicly on the protests or colonialism, and according to the outlet, local journalists have been told there will be no interview opportunities with the couple.

READ MORE: A Definitive Timeline Of Kate And William's Royal Romance

READ MORE: Kate Middleton And Prince William’s Royal Tour Of The Caribbean: Everything You Need To Know

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