Prince William Emphasizes Choice of the People Amidst Commonwealth Criticism

MAR 19 2022·Updated JAN 23 2023

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Image credit: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock [via The Daily Mail]

The Facts

The Duke of Cambridge has stated he would respect whatever decision citizens make and that it is their future that matters to the royals, in comments acknowledging the controversy that surrounded the royal tour of the Carribean with the Duchess of Cambridge.
NBC
He also said he would continue to serve and support Commonwealth nations regardless of their decisions.
NBC
The Prince discussed his profound sorrow over slavery in a speech last week. His comments stopped short of apologizing for colonial history, while Jamaica's PM, Andrew Holness, expressed the country's desire to become a Republic.
BBC News
The week-long tour was overshadowed from its start, with an open letter calling for the royal family and British government to apologize for slavery and pay reparations.
Time
Anti-colonial protests also undermined the visit, intended to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Time

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

The tour was an insensitive attempt to secure royalist feeling and quell opposition to British rule, especially following Barbados' deicision to become a republic. Windrush campaigners and Caribbean experts have been outwardly critical of this tour, considering it an effort to glorify outdated monarchical rule in nations still economically and legally oppressed by Britain's influence.

guardian

Pro-establishment narrative

A chance for many royalists to meet the future king and queen has been hampered by a minority of opponents to the tour. These protests have damaged local businesses in a nation where the Queen herself continues to be deeply admired and, despite claims of "colonialism", the rest of the tour will go ahead, including plans to celebrate local musical and sporting heritages.

The Telegraph