The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge created a mass stir when they visited the neighbourhood of Trench Town, in Kingston - where international reggae legend Bob Marley grew up. As part of the royal couple’s Caribbean tour, during their stop-off in Jamaica, and whilst in the St. Andrew’s parish, The Duke – Prince Williams – played football with some of the locals, with a special appearance made by Jamaica-born England international, Raheem Sterling before visiting the Trench Town Culture Yard museum - which celebrates reggae music.
Aston Villa fan, Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, also enjoyed a kickabout with some young footballers and the Manchester City forward – who was given special dispensation by manager Gareth Southgate to visit his place of birth ahead of the upcoming England friendly against Switzerland. Sterling was there as part of his Raheem Sterling Foundation, which works with partners in Jamaica, Manchester and London to give disadvantaged youths opportunities to break out of poverty.
To make the visit even greater for the Duke, Jamaica international Leon Bailey, who plays for the Prince's beloved Aston Villa, was also there to witness his ball skills. Staying on the ‘sport’ tip, he Cambridges also met the island's bobsleigh team, and talked about the film Cool Runnings which immortalised the 1988 Jamaican Winter Olympics team.
With the Duchess also never afraid to participate in local culture, the couple wowed onlookers as they both played drums with some local musicians in the courtyard where Marley started his stellar career. The couple, though, were also subjected to protesters, who called for reparations from the British monarchy for slavery as they gathered at the British embassy in Kingston with placards; accusing the monarchy of benefitting from theslave trade.
With Barbados breaking away from the Commonwealth and now being totally independent of the monarchy, there are calls for Jamaica to drop the Queen as the head of state and become a republic, as well as for a formal acknowledgement of slavery. Prince William was expected to address the issue of slavery during a speech at a dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica.
