The Wessexes arrive in Antigua and Barbuda
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have arrived in Antigua and Barbuda to a fitting red carpet welcome with uniformed forces and many officials on the ground at the V C Bird International Airport.
This is a part of their tour of the Caribbean.
Prince Edward and Countess Sophie’s first stop was at the Prime Minister's office, where they sat and heard from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who championed the call for reparatory justice.
They then stopped at Government House, the office of the Governor-General.
Students greeted them and other patriots showcasing national symbols, art and other cultural elements following the purpose of their visit- to salute the twin islands’ rich culture and development after 40 years of independence.
They are scheduled to visit the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium later this afternoon, where they will be introduced to the country's top athletes, including legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards.
The National Sailing Academy and Clarence House will be their final stops before they depart from the land of sun, sea and sand.
The couple will culminate their trip by planting a tree to Mark Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
The Queen is commemorating 70 years on the throne.
The royal couple's visit comes days after a strongly worded letter from the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission.
The commission called for an apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
They warned the Wessexes to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over slavery.
The commission ended their appeal with a few questions, hoping that the couple would provide answers during their short, packed visit.
"Why is it so hard for you to sincerely apologise for your nation’s role in slavery-like decent human beings do when they offend? We know that ‘acknowledging and accounting for wrongs is deeply enshrined within British law and society.”
“Then, why can you not apologise for your nation’s documented historical wrong? Do you think, as members of your family before, you seemed to think that we are a sub-human species and therefore not worthy of an apology?”
0 Comment