Prince William addresses 'abhorrent' slavery during speech

(Image credit: Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images)

published 24 March 2022

Prince William addresses 'abhorrent' slavery in a speech to Jamaican officials as he and Kate Middleton continue their tour of the Caribbean.

Prince William and Catherine are currently in Jamaica as part of their Caribbean Tour celebrating the Queen's Platinum jubilee.
The royal couple's presence in the country divided some due to the Royal Family's history with colonialism.
In other royal news, the Queen appears on the cover of Vogue for the first time in history—but fans are frustrated by missed 'perfect opportunity'.

As the royal couple landed in Jamaica, it became clear that Prince William and Kate Middleton were 'not welcome' as slavery reparation protests continue. The activist's campaign asked the Royal Family to address slavery and extend their apologies to the country and even offer reparations.

In a speech at the Governor-General's Dinner at King's House, St Andrew, Prince William addressed slavery and referred to the slave trade as 'abhorrent.' The Prince began by discussing Ukraine and said that the war taking place was a 'reminder of the terrifying toll and inequality of war and conflicts across the world, which we must never forget."

He then added, "Particularly this week, with the international day of remembrance for the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade."

The Duke of Cambridge then quoted his father as he said, "I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that 'the appalling atrocities of slavery forever stains our history'."

The Prince went on to discuss his own 'sorrow' as he added, "I want to express my profound sorrow, slavery was abhorrent and it should never have happened. While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage, and fortitude."

The Prince ended his speech by paying tribute to the Windrush generation who helped to make Britain the country that it is today and their descendants continue to be a cornerstone of British society.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Caribbean tour is continuing to make headlines as Kate and William go scuba diving and the couple's real reaction to breaking royal protocol in Jamaica was revealed by a body language expert.

The couple is expected to head to the Bahamas very soon where they will conclude their tour on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

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