Prince Harry Jamaica moment a time to bury bitterness
It is obviously a great year for raising causes, publicising issues and getting yourself worldwide publicity. Why? Because a royal has arrived.
It is obviously a great year for raising causes, publicising issues and getting yourself worldwide publicity. Why? Because a royal has arrived.
So of course Jamaica’s new Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is taking advantage of young Prince Harry’s visit to highlighting her two-pronged attack.
Firstly, she returns to the theme of slavery and its horrors and secondly, believes that the Queen should no longer be head of state of the Commonwealth realm which achieved independence 50 years ago.
It’s not a new story over the years from some leaders of some Commonwealth nations. And undoubtedly as more of them will become totally independent in the years ahead they will want a home grown head of state.
But for the moment, the Queen has this position and she fulfils the duties it imposes. When change comes, she and her heirs will hand over graciously and step back.
But a Prime Minister is never going to pass up the chance to air such a view as cameras by the thousand pour in to record a royal visit.
As for the slavery issue, there can be no-one who doesn’t look back at that time and see it for what it was, an absolute outrage against humanity.
It was evil.
It was also a long time ago, way beyond the recall of any of us and many generations of progress have been made since then.
Bridges have been built, friendships have been cemented, long term relationships have been forged. Yes, we too might call upon our own ancestors for an explanation of the dreadful trade of slavery. But we call in vain.
And all we can do now in our time is make it clear that such atrocities are as damned by us as they are by those whose own people were shackled to the boats into which they were forced.
As for making these burning issues headlines at a time of celebration for a reign unparalleled in its duty and goodness and in the presence of a fine young man who serves his country and its allies well, what do we think?
Well really that it’s inevitable. The opportunity would of course be too much for Ms Simpson Miller to resist and the best those of us can say on behalf of our country today, is that we do understand but maybe this Prince Harry moment is the time to bury bitterness and join hands across the Caribbean sea.