First visit of royal tour cancelled because of local protest

[Viviennemary]

Just seen on sky news William and Kates visit to a farm in the Caribbean was cancelled becsuse of a local protest. I am with these locals. From their point of view why should those two very entitled unelected multi millionaires who have virtually nothing to do with their country be visiting and expecting to be honoured and bowed and scraped to. They are no better or important than anybody else.

I disagree. You will now talk of half in half out stuff. The RF would never accept anything different to what it's been in the last 70 years, so it was no go.

But what you are saying is that the RF would never accept half In half out, not that Harry and Meghan had always planned to leave totally. Not being able to have the half in half out and not wanting it in the first place are not the same thing, surely?

The words "recollections may vary" were about everything which was said in the Oprah interview, not just one thing.

Absolutely, yes, but in the context of this visit I was thinking about the people of Jamaica rather than the interview, and wondered why it's said they need a "response" to something which didn't involve them - or indeed anyone but those concerned. I can see why they'd be interested, but unless they're clear on the facts behind the story expecting a response seems a bit odd

Kate and William comported themselves in a dignified fashion on this tour. They are good people and I'm proud of them.

@Chilledchablis1

@ Roussette

Not going to get in to an argument and derail this thread even further but it was clear from H and M’s initial statement in Jan 2020 that they had no plans to fully leave .

Agree. They thought they could live somewhere else and set up their own court doing what they felt like. Still getting the perks but all on their terms.

Yes, in this instance no one has to speculate about what Meghan and Harry wanted when they announced they were stepping back from being full time royals, they published a whole manifesto making it abundantly clear.

The fact that they hadn’t secured an agreement that it would actually be possible doesn’t mean it wasn’t what they wanted. It just meant it wasn’t what they ended up with.

No ,smilesy that's not at all what I'm saying. They had no option but to leave and it was the best decision for them

Haven't read the full thread

I'm from a Commonwealth country and I think what has been happening over the last number of years has had an impact on the events you see on this tour.

1. traction from Black Lives Matter about Britain's colonial past and reparations to former colonies
2. a rise in African nations against the notions of "White Saviours"
3. the treatment of Meghan Markle as the first person of colour admitted to the senior ranks of the RF (media treatment, public comment and whatever actual RF situation)
4. the lack of diversity in RF circles, both those in RF and those working in the RF machinery - from the outside looking in - they seem to be all white, middle aged men (stiff courtiers) or young, posh, white, private schooled privileged set.

No ,smilesy that's not at all what I'm saying. They had no option but to leave and it was the best decision for them

Ah I see. But the point still remains that they did not want to leave originally. So even if you feel with hindsight that it was the best decision, it was not the outcome they had envisioned.

@Puzzledandpissedoff

The words "recollections may vary" were about everything which was said in the Oprah interview, not just one thing.

Absolutely, yes, but in the context of this visit I was thinking about the people of Jamaica rather than the interview, and wondered why it's said they need a "response" to something which didn't involve them - or indeed anyone but those concerned. I can see why they'd be interested, but unless they're clear on the facts behind the story expecting a response seems a bit odd

Sorry, but what do you mean that racism has nothing to do with the Caribbean.

This is their Head of State, and Jamaica has black people. Who wants to be ruled by racists?

@Roja70

Haven't read the full thread

I'm from a Commonwealth country and I think what has been happening over the last number of years has had an impact on the events you see on this tour.

1. traction from Black Lives Matter about Britain's colonial past and reparations to former colonies
2. a rise in African nations against the notions of "White Saviours"
3. the treatment of Meghan Markle as the first person of colour admitted to the senior ranks of the RF (media treatment, public comment and whatever actual RF situation)
4. the lack of diversity in RF circles, both those in RF and those working in the RF machinery - from the outside looking in - they seem to be all white, middle aged men (stiff courtiers) or young, posh, white, private schooled privileged set.

Great post.

Do you think people other than the Royal Family have benefitted from Britain's colonial past and if so, how many?

If you go to some former colonies, certainly the case where I'm from - you will see residual colonial wealth still held by the same white families (who make up less than 1% of the population) - plantation owners etc

Many sold up and left before independence but the wealth is then re-invested in properties, businesses in the West, building up multinational firms with a global asset list.

Who wants to be ruled by racists?

Absolutely nobody with sense, and who could blame them?

However while we've all seen some of the disgraceful racism elsewhere, we simply can't know if the allegations regarding the RF are true. We might detest the whole organisation (and personally I do) and we might choose to believe it's so, but that's some distance from knowing the facts, especially as no names or detail were offered in the first place and the RF - possibly in their own selfish interests - have said it'll be dealt with privately

Sorry if this doesn't suit, but when it comes to something as serious as racism, I'm simply not prepared to go down the road of "I think they might be ... so they must be ... so they are" when there's no proof of a particular allegation

I agree puzzled up to a point but for me... KP (K&W's household) not releasing their diversity figures was bad. Charles did, the Queen did... but not K&W.
To me... that tells us something...

Let's see if they do this year in the Royal Report or whatever it's called. Due June I think.

for me... KP (K&W's household) not releasing their diversity figures was bad. Charles did, the Queen did... but not K&W

I couldn't agree more, Roussette, and when so much is put into touting them as the undamaged pair who offer a way forward it looks even worse

As ever, though, the RF tell us only what they want us to know and detailed statements are rare, whch tends to reduce things to the sort of assumptions I'm not keen on and why I try to question things rather than claim I know

According to Richard Eden, the DM has put together a little 12 page supplement with all of Kate's dresses. I did not see it.

But they are declaring her a "Caribbean Queen".

Oh good god. Tone deaf and embarrassing