Prince William made his landmark speech and spoke out about slavery during an official dinner and reception hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica at King’s House on Wednesday (March 23) in Kingston, Jamaica.
The 39-year-old Duke of Cambridge, who attended the event with wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, took the podium for a speech at the event, and expressed his sorrow about the role Britain played in slavery in the country.
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“I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened,” William stated, acknowledging his country’s role in the trafficking of people to the Caribbean and the United States.
He continued, “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.”
The speech comes just after Prime Minister Andrew Holness told William that Jamaica plans to become an independent country.
“There are issues here, which as you know, are unresolved, but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, to be out front and center and to be addressed as best we can,” he shared with the couple during their meeting earlier that day. “But Jamaica is, as you would see, is a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we’re moving on and we intend to… fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent, developed and prosperous country.”
Earlier in the day, William and Kate the chance to visit the to Shortwood Teachers College and met with young students and teachers there. Kate also made a speech there, honoring the educators.
FYI: Kate wore a Jenny Packham gown to the dinner. Earlier, she wore a bright white Alexander McQueen suit with a Ridley London orange top, Willow Hilson bag and Lashawndla Bailey-Miller bracelets.
Click inside to see 50+ pictures of Prince William and Kate Middleton at two events in Jamaica today…