(CMR) Prince William condemned slavery as “abhorrent” and said “it should never have happened,” but stopped short of apologizing for his family's role in the slave trade during a speech in Jamaica on Wednesday night.
His comments come amidst mixed reactions to his visit to the country. Prince William and his wife Kate are on a tour of the Caribbean, visiting Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas for a series of engagements to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee year, marking 70 years on the throne.
Several persons protested in Jamaica since their arrival on Tuesday, calling for an apology for slavery and reparation.
“I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent, and it should never have happened,” the Duke of Cambridge said in a state dinner address at King's House.
“I strongly agree with my father, The Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history,” he added.
“While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage, and fortitude. The strength and shared sense of purpose of the Jamaican people, represented in your flag and motto, celebrate an invincible spirit,” Prince William stated.
The couple left the island Thursday for the Bahamas.
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