British royals Edward and Sophie continue Caribbean tour despite criticism over slavery
- The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been met with banners protesting against British colonialism on the second leg of their Caribbean tour
- A group of around 15 protesters displayed placards as the royals made their way to Government House on the island on Saturday
Britain’s Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Earl and Countess of Wessex, have been met with banners protesting against British colonialism on the second leg of their Caribbean tour.
Edward and Sophie had initially received a friendly welcome on their visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines, but a group of around 15 protesters displayed placards as they made their way to Government House on the island on Saturday.
Banners on show included “end to colonialism” and “#CompensationNow”.
The protests come soon after warnings from the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission, which urged Edward and Sophie to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over slavery.
In an open letter to the pair, the organisation said: “We hear the phoney sanctimony of those who came before you that these crimes are a ‘stain on your history’.
“For us, they are the source of genocide and of continuing deep international injury, injustice and racism. “We hope you will respect us by not repeating the mantra. “We are not simpletons.”
Other placards used in the protest on Saturday included “down with neocolonialism” and “Britain your debt is outstanding”.
The demonstration comes after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were criticised for some elements of their recent Caribbean tour, deemed to hark back to colonial days.