The Earl and Countess of Wessex were met with protests demanding reparations for British colonialism on the second leg of their Caribbean tour.
Edward and Sophie had initially received a warm welcome during their visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines, but a group of about 15 protesters displayed placards as they made their way to Government House on the island on Saturday.
Banners on display included ‘End Colonialism’ and ‘Compensation Now’.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the second destination on your week-long Caribbean tour. The royal couple visited St Lucia on Friday – days after the Grenada leg of their trip was postponed at 11am.
Saturday’s protests from St Vincent and the Grenadines come shortly after warnings from Antigua and Barbuda’s Reparations Assistance Commission, which urged Edward and Sophie to avoid “false hypocrisy” about slavery.
In an open letter to the couple, the organization said: “We hear the false hypocrisy of those who came before you that these crimes are a ‘blot on your history’.
“For us, they are the source of genocide and ongoing serious international violations, injustice and racism.
At a small protest against the visit of the Earl and Countess of Wessex to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, banners read ‘End of Colonialism’ and ‘Compensation Now’.
Edward and Sophie initially received a warm welcome on their visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines (Pictured: The Wessexes during the visit to Government House in St Vincent and the Grenadines)
The Countess of Wessex meets with members of La Gracia Dance Company at St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College on Saturday
A group of about 15 protesters (pictured) held up a sign that read ‘Reparation Now’ as the Wessexes arrived at Government House in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday
Despite the warm welcome, today’s visit came after another Caribbean country warned the couple to avoid “false hypocrisy” about slavery
Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex greeted enthusiastic onlookers in St Vincent and the Grenadines today as they reached the second destination of their seven-day tour of the Caribbean
The red carpet was rolled out again when Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived at Argyle International Airport on Saturday, while steel drums playing One Love by Bob Marley welcomed them to the island
“We hope you will respect us by not repeating the mantra… We are not simpletons.”
Other placards used at Saturday’s protests were “Down with neo-colonialism” and “Britain your debts are outstanding”.
The demonstration comes just after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were criticized for some elements of their recent Caribbean tour said to date back to the colonial era.
Before the protest, Edward and Sophie received their second red carpet and honor guard of the tour after landing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadets waved the national flag.
The Countess of Wessex opted for a light floral dress for the visit, which she paired with heeled sandals and a colorful suede bag. Sophie wore two gold bracelets and kept her hair tied back in an elegant updo.
Steel drums playing One Love by Bob Marley provided the backdrop for the couple’s official welcome to the island.
The reception for the couple was initially friendly, with a bouquet of flowers presented to them by elementary school student Ashley Church.
Before standing on a platform to observe a guard of honor, Edward was greeted by Governor General Dame Susan Dougan, followed by Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel.
The couple held separate engagements for part of their one-day trip to the island.
Sophie, who wore a floral dress on Saturday, attended a community college where she was greeted by La Gracia Dance Company.
The dancers, all of different ages, performed a short performance for the Countess to a song with lyrics like “Welcome to St. Vincent”.
She posed for photos with the children before heading to a series of booths set up next to the college theater.
The Countess then met representatives of two organizations – people with disabilities and the Society of and for the Blind.
Sophie, a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, has included it in her schedule to continue her work to advocate for the need for support and equality for blind and visually impaired people.
She also met with representatives from women’s groups and business leaders to hear about their experiences with the eruption of La Soufriere volcano last year.
As part of her concern to address the need for support and equality for blind and visually impaired people, the Countess will meet with representatives of two organizations, ‘People with Disabilities’ and ‘Society of and for the Blind’.
Prince Edward during the welcome ceremony at Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Prince Edward presents a medal to one of the winners of the 100m dash and 70m sprint in honor of the Platinum Jubilee
The couple are set to plant a tree to mark the Queen’s 70th anniversary as monarch before learning of the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Throughout the day, the couple performed separate engagements as part of their day-long trip to the island
Prince Edward visited the island’s national stadium where he met athletes training for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
When the royal couple arrived in Argyle, Sophie was quick to greet groups of excited Boy Scouts and Guides who lined the red carpet, all waving the colorful flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines
At the same time, Edward visited the island’s national stadium, where he met athletes training for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He watched two sprint races in honor of the platinum anniversary.
The Count also watched the finish of a T10 women’s cricket match and met some of the country’s netball and tennis teams.
Later on Saturday, after the couple have lunch with the islands’ governor-general and acting prime minister, they will visit the botanical gardens.
The couple are set to plant a tree to mark the Queen’s 70th anniversary as monarch before learning of the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to their departure, Edward and Sophie will travel to the Prime Minister’s residence for a meeting with the Acting Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet.
The reception for the royal couple was overwhelmingly warm and upon arrival by plane they were presented with a bouquet of flowers by primary school student Ashley Church (above).
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the second destination on your week-long Caribbean tour. The royal couple visited St Lucia on Friday – days after the Grenada leg of their trip was postponed at 11am
The latest comes after the couple’s trip to Grenada was canceled after consultation with the island’s government and governor-general.
Although the country that gained independence from Britain in 1974 will inevitably become a republic one day, it’s not a nation where the problem is particularly prevalent right now.
However, sources have suggested that protracted discussions with the Grenadian government and local officials to ensure the Wessexes’ itinerary meets the tour’s goals – celebrating the island’s heritage and continuing achievements, as well as celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee – have raised issues had.
As a result of these talks, Governor General Cecile La Grenade advised the trip to be postponed.
She declined to go into the details of the issue yesterday, but an adviser said: “All I can say at this point is that it was a joint decision.”