William and Kate’s Caribbean tour yesterday faced criticism from royal watchers over claims of a series of “silent” PR moments smacking of “colonialism”.
Led by BBC royal correspondent Johnny Diamond, Harry and Meghan’s head cheerleader Omid Scobie stepped in to stir up the crowd on social media.
In an article on what he called “defeat snatched from the jaws of victory,” given the warm reception they received locally, Mr. Diamond spoke of the Duke and Duchess’s visit to Trench Town in Kingston, Jamaica, where they were greeted thousands of people. well-wishers applause.
However, the recurring image of the engagement – as far as social media goes, though not on earth – is that of William and Kate sticking their fingers through the links of the metal fence along the football field to greet the locals on the other side.
William and Kate have come under fire for this image of the royal couple meeting young people behind a chain-link fence in Kingston, Jamaica.
At a traditional Bahamian Junkanoo — or street parade — in Nassau, Kate was especially enchanted by one performer, five-year-old Cattleya Green, who, along with her eight-year-old sister Tatiana, wore colorful, home-made costumes reminiscent of traditional Bahamian costumes. straw dolls
While English footballer Raheem Sterling did the same, the Cambridges were accused of “parodying white saviors”.
The BBC correspondent wrote in his online material: “Palace staff must be wondering why the defining image of the Cambridge trip to the Caribbean was not the explosion of joy and pleasure that met the couple in the center of Kingston.
“But instead, what seemed to many to be some sort of parody of a white savior, with Kate and William fleetingly making contact with the outstretched fingers of Jamaican children pushing through a wire fence.
“It was a major mistake for a couple who are surprisingly well versed in the media.”
Mr Scobie, co-author of Harry and Meghan’s biography In Search of Freedom, tweeted: “This tour was an opportunity to try to show that the monarchy can modernize – take responsibility when appropriate, be willing to listen and learn, be attentive “. are open to change.
“Instead, even media royalists write about parts of the trip being out of reach.”
Jen Moir of the Daily Mail yesterday called the tour a “disaster” that caused her to “die of embarrassment…for our country, for Cambridge”.
“This week has shown that the days of a big royal overseas visit are certainly numbered,” she wrote. “The very idea that the royal family should travel in all their finery and jewels to distant lands to meet people who they expect to bow and squat before them, or at least pay their respects, becomes more and more absurd.”
One of the tour’s harshest critics was Omid Scobie, co-author of Harry and Meghan’s biography In Search of Freedom. , be willing to listen and learn, attentive, open to change”
Mr Scobie co-authored Harry and Meghan’s biography In Search of Freedom.
Mr. Diamond also told the Mail’s exclusive story of how the couple were forced to call off the first engagement of their visit to Belize following a row over indigenous land rights and anger over their helicopter being allowed to land on a village soccer field. .
The couple’s decision to leave the Jamaican military parade in a royal open-top 1960s Land Rover, intended as a “charming tribute…just seemed like a clumsy reminder of more respectful times,” Mr. Diamond added.
However, much was well received in the Caribbean, including William’s keynote speech in Jamaica when he went further than any other member of the royal family in expressing his “sadness” at his “disgust” at slavery.
The Mail realizes that William spent time on his speech, reviewing his script just hours before delivering it to carefully consider his choice of words.
“He wanted to reflect on what his father had previously said on the matter and add his own words from the bottom of his heart,” the source said.
He is also said to have “relaxed” the moment Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told him and Kate in front of the cameras that he was determined to cut ties with the Queen and make Jamaica a republic.
The source said: “The prime minister was elected on an independence platform, so this was not a surprise. He was very warm and welcomed their visit. It was done with respect. The Duke was very relaxed.
The couple were also given commendations for their efforts to steer clear of major productions in favor of smaller ones, where they were able to thank those whose efforts often go unrewarded by visiting hospitals, schools and charities.
They spent the day in the Bahamas yesterday dodging rainstorms at the last stop on their tour.
At a traditional Bahamian Junkanoo — or street parade — in Nassau, Kate was especially enchanted by one performer, five-year-old Cattleya Green, who, along with her eight-year-old sister Tatiana, wore colorful, home-made costumes reminiscent of traditional Bahamian costumes. straw dolls.
Kate squatted down, ignoring her £350 pistachio Self Portrait dress with distinctive gold earrings by local designer Nadia Irena, to chat with the little girl.
Some of the crowd waited up to five hours to catch a glimpse of the couple.
Colette Guard, 47, from Nassau, said: “I love that they are here. Kate is such a wonderful princess, so glamorous and kind. William will be a great king. We love them in the Bahamas.”