Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness told the Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge earlier today (March 23) in a courtesy call at Jamaica House that Jamaica is “moving on” from British rule.
The country’s 9th Prime Minister expressed the goals to become a republic in short oder during his meeting with Prince William and Kate Middleton on Wednesday.
The meeting started with photo ops but before they could sit with a packed media presence, the Prime Minister said to the Cambridges, that Jamaica intends to “fulfill our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country.”
This was not your usual start of a bilat in front of the cameras @AndrewHolnessJM in the strongest terms telling the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that Jamaica is “moving on” and intends to “fulfil our true ambitions as an independent prosperous country” pic.twitter.com/I4Z1aYfLH1
— Rhiannon Mills (@SkyRhiannon) March 23, 2022
“We are very, very happy to have you, and we hope you’ve received a warm welcome of the people,” he said.
“Jamaica is a very free and liberal country. And the people are very expressive. And I am certain that you would have seen the spectrum of expressions yesterday,” the prime minister added, making reference to protests in New Kingston by the British High Commission on Tuesday that casted a shadow over the royal visit. Protesters called for the British royal family to acknowledge its role in colonization and slavery and pay reparations.
It is the most direct a sitting Prime Minister has been to the Royals in the quest for full independence and reparations in modern times.
Jamaica is marked as the next country to do away with the Queen according to reports. The Queen is head of state in more than 14 countries plus the UK. Her role is largely symbolic but there is increasing demand to sever ties in the Island.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has said that it was a matter for the people of Jamaica.
Graham Smith, head of the U.K.-based anti-monarchy group Republic, told HuffPost Wednesday that “this trip has been a spectacular own goal,” for the British royals since “their visit has put the republican issue front and centre” for Jamaica.
Sources told the Press Association that William plans to acknowledge slavery in a speech he’s due to give on Wednesday evening in Kingston, Jamaica.
Reggae and dancehall artists Queen Ifrica and Beenie Man have added their voices to the demonstrations during the Royal visit.
Ifrica said, “Mr William, I see you love to dance with the black people and you love to frolic but, speak some truth on this trip, speak truth for what it’s worth.”
Beenie man has expressed that no Jamaican want to see Prince William as they would prefer Harry. “Jamaicans don’t want the Queen… If Harry [was coming], people would react differently. People would go and meet Harry. But William, nobody wants to see that,”
Former Prime Minister P.J Patterson, who was prime minister from 1992 to 2006 made an appeal in a letter addressed to both Holness and oppostion leader Mark Golding, urging them to use their “political authority and opportunity to capture a truly historic landmark”. per Jamaica Observer
“It is repulsive to contemplate a Diamond Jubilee where our constitution rests on an Order in Council dated 23rd July, 1962 and a head of state who does not reflect our own image and enables every Jamaican to aspire in reaching the highest position within our native land,” Patterson stated.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness had previously said becoming a republic should not just be done as empty symbolism.
