Prince William Reflects on the Caribbean Tour and the Royal Family's Role in the Commonwealth in New Statement
As the Cambridges' royal tour of the Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas comes to a close, Prince William is taking time to "reflect," and this evening, he has released a new statement about the future of the Commonwealth, and the royal family's role in it.
"Foreign tours are an opportunity to reflect. You learn so much. What is on the minds of Prime Ministers. The hopes and ambitions of school children. The day-to-day challenges faced by families and communities," he writes.
"I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future. In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon," he continues, referencing recent calls for reparations, anti-monarchy protests inspired by the Cambridges' visit, and news that Jamaica is moving to forge a new republic and to remove the Queen as head of state.
His statement also references the larger Commonwealth of Nations—the voluntary association of 54 countries, nearly all of which were formerly under British rule (Rwanda and Mozambique, which joined in 2009 and 1995, respectively, are the exceptions), and it seems to suggest that he would like to see someone outside of his family lead the organization. Notably, Queen Elizabeth has lead the Commonwealth since her reign began in 1952, and in 2018, Prince Charles was chosen as her successor.
"Catherine and I are committed to service. For us that's not telling people what to do. It is about serving and supporting them in whatever way they think best, by using the platform we are lucky to have," William writes.
"It is why tours such as this reaffirm our desire to serve the people of the Commonwealth and to listen to communities around the world. Who the Commonwealth chooses to lead its family in the future isn't what is on my mind. What matters to us is the potential the Commonwealth family has to create a better future for the people who form it, and our commitment to serve and support as best we can."
Read Prince William's full statement below:
Foreign tours are an opportunity to reflect. You learn so much. What is on the minds of Prime Ministers. The hopes and ambitions of school children. The day-to-day challenges faced by families and communities.
I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future. In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon. But we have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with communities in all three countries, understanding more about the issues that matter most to them.
Catherine and I are committed to service. For us that's not telling people what to do. It is about serving and supporting them in whatever way they think best, by using the platform we are lucky to have.
It is why tours such as this reaffirm our desire to serve the people of the Commonwealth and to listen to communities around the world. Who the Commonwealth chooses to lead its family in the future isn't what is on my mind. What matters to us is the potential the Commonwealth family has to create a better future for the people who form it, and our commitment to serve and support as best we can.
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