Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince Edwardand Sophie, Countess of Wessex’s Caribbean tour had a last-minute change — with no explanation.
Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son and daughter-in-law will visit Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda over the next week as part of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking 70 years on the throne. However, it was announced just one day ahead of their departure for the tour that Grenada was removed from the schedule.
“In consultation with the Government of Grenada and on the advice of the Governor General, The Earl and Countess of Wessex’s visit to Grenada has been postponed,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The Earl and Countess hope to visit at a later date.”
There is speculation that Prince Edward and Sophie only planned to visit Grenada for a few hours, and the country didn’t feel the short visit was worth their resources and taxpayer money — but it comes at a time when a number of Caribbean countries are re-examining their relationship with the monarchy.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise, James, Viscount Severn and Prince Edward.Andrew Matthews-WPA Pool/Getty
Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda are all part of the Commonwealth of Nations, made up of 54 countries. They are all also Commonwealth realms, meaning they haveQueen Elizabethas their monarch and head of state.
However, many Commonwealth countries have expressed interest in becoming independent republics with their own heads of state. Barbados was themost recent realm to become a republicin 2021, with Sandra Mason — who previously served as governor-general — as president.Jamaica is also making movesto drop the Queen as head of state.
The Queen sent a note of congratulations to Barbados' new president, whilePrince Charlesattended the ceremony that removed her as head of state.
Prince Charles.Jeff J Mitchell - Pool/Getty Images
Prince WilliamandKate Middletonexperiencedsignificant backlashduring their tour of the Caribbean last month as the rising tide of social and economic justice movements — including calls for slavery reparations and indigenous rights expansion — are rapidly reshaping contemporary views of the monarchy.
Kate Middleton and Prince William.Chris Jackson/getty
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness directly addressed his country’s intention to break away from the British monarchy during a meeting with the couple.
“There are issues here, which as you know, are unresolved, but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, to be out front and center and to be addressed as best we can,” he told William and Kate. “But Jamaica is, as you would see, is a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we’re moving on and we intend to… fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent, developed and prosperous country.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton in Jamaica on March 24.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Prince William released an unprecedented statementbefore leaving The Bahamas reflecting on the future governance of the Caribbean nations.
source: people.com
