Avellon Williams
BELIZE- Amid Prince William and Kate’s disastrous tour of the region, Belize has become the latest Caribbean country to announce its intention to remove Queen Elizabeth II from her position as head of state.
A string of protests took place during the delegation’s visit to Belize in protest against the “colonial legacy of theft”.
Among three countries visited by the royal couple, Belize was the first. Jamaica and the Bahamas were their next stops.
Following their visit, the country’s government announced that the People’s Constitutional Commission – a new body – will be consulting across the country about how to continue the “decolonisation process”.
TAKING OWNERSHIP OF OUR INDEPENDENCE
Last Thursday, Belize’s minister for constitutional and political reform, Henry Charles Usher, told the legislature: “Madame Speaker, decolonisation is evolving through the Caribbean region.”.
“Perhaps it is time for Belize to take the next step in truly owning our independence. But it is a matter that the people of Belize must decide on.”
After a controversial tour during which they discussed the post-colonial future of the countries they visited, the pledge is the latest blow to the royal couple.
During a recent visit to Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness informed the royal couple that Jamaica plans to become a republic, amid widespread calls for reparations from the UK.
PM Holness told the royals “We’re moving on and we intend to… fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent, developed, and prosperous country.”
Later, Holness tweeted that he wished to remove the Queen as head of state.
A PROFOUND SENSE OF SORROW
During a speech, last Saturday Prince William said that the bonds between the UK and the Caribbean will “endure”, whatever happens next.
He continued, “Next year, I know you are all looking forward to celebrating fifty years of independence, your golden anniversary.
“And with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year, and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year, I want to say this: we support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.”
That followed a speech in Jamaica last week, in which William expressed his “profound sorrow” at the horrors of the slave trade – a statement that campaigners described as wholly inadequate and “tone-deaf”.
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