Movie star and The View talk show host Whoopi Goldberg recently spoke out against the British Royal family on the show. While discussing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s controversial Caribbean tour, Goldberg stated that the Royal Family needs to start the process of reconciliation. This, she said, should at the very least begin with an apology.
Whoopi Goldberg Says It’s Time The British Royal Family Apologizes
Whoopi Goldberg has never been one to shy away from sharing her opinion, no matter how controversial it might be. She certainly didn’t hold back recently when discussing the British Royal Family and Prince William and Kate’s Caribbean tour. Whoopi quickly reminded us all of just how the British Monarchy accrued so much wealth as they have. (1)
“Britain ran ram shod over India for years,” Whoopi Goldberg stated. “Let us not forget when we talk about what needs to happen, all the folks that need to apologise.”
She went on to say that Prince Charles had some idea of what the general sentiment was when he was visiting Barbados.
“he went on and apologised, yes, he was releasing the hold that Britain has,” continued Whoopi. “So perhaps someone is listening, and it’s the new group of folks I don’t know if it’s Charles but one of them.”
The Controversial Caribbean Tour
The conversation on The View and Whoopi Goldberg’s comments are all because of the Caribbean tour Prince William and Kate are currently on. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have not been met with happiness and fanfare. Rather, when they arrived in Jamaica, their reception was quite cold. Many people were actually protesting their visit. What do the people of Jamaica want, as well as the other Caribbean nations? Well for starters, an apology.
The visit was supposed to be one that celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne of the British Monarchy. The people of the Caribbean nations, however, don’t much feel like celebrating. The tour was also supposed to improve sentiment toward the Royal Family by presenting young, fresh faces. Instead, it has just further pushed the desire for many nations to move to being fully independent.
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We’ve arrived in Jamaica 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/aMiNV8hY7B
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2022
Why The Bad Feelings?
What the people of the Caribbean want, among other things, is an apology for the atrocities done to them at the hands of the Royal Family and the slave trade. In the 17th and 18th centuries, British monarchs either supported or profited from the slave trade. This trade stole African people from their homes and their land and brought them to other parts of the world to work as slaves for white people.
In fact, just a day before the Royals arrived in Jamaica, one hundred Jamaican academics, politicians, and cultural figures signed an open letter asking for the Royal Family to not just apologize but to pay reparations for their family’s past transgressions.
“We are of the view an apology for British crimes against humanity, including but not limited to the exploitation of the indigenous people of Jamaica, the transatlantic trafficking of Africans, the enslavement of Africans, indentureship and colonialization is necessary to begin a process of healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and compensation,” they stated in the letter.
The letter also states that Prince William and Kate are direct beneficiaries of the wealth that the Royal Family accumulated from slaves and the slave trade.
“We see no reason to celebrate 70 years of the ascension of your grandmother to the British throne because her leadership, and that of her predecessors, has perpetuated the greatest human rights tragedy in the history of humankind.” the letter stated. (2)
Prince William Addresses The Concerns – But Still Does Not Apologize
Naturally, Prince William couldn’t exactly ignore the situation. In his speeches, he acknowledged Jamaica’s “pain”. He described the slave trade as an “appalling atrocity” that “stains” their history. He never, however, actually apologized or gave any notion as to what the Royal Family might do to even attempt to right some of their ancestral wrongdoing. (3)
The Jamaican Prime Minister has already said to Prince William that the island nation is moving towards becoming an independent republic. They no longer wish to be a part of the British Commonwealth that brought their people so much pain. Prince William quoted a speech his grandmother gave to the country in 1994, cautioning against this move.
“She said ‘I am proud to associate myself with your determination that social justice and personal freedom should flourish under the rule of law,” the Prince said. “It is always dangerous, however, to be complacent and to assume that democratic values will look after themselves.”
Time will tell what happens in Jamaica as well as to the British Commonwealth.
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Sources
- “‘All the folks need to apologise’ Whoopi Goldberg blasts Britain and royals’ slavery roots.” Express. Tim McNulty. March 25, 2022
- “Prince William and Kate’s Tour Was Meant to Secure the Monarchy in the Caribbean. Instead, It’s Raising New Questions About Its Future.” Time. Eloise Barry. March 24, 2022
- “‘Perfect storm’: royals misjudged Caribbean tour, say critics.” The Guardian. Rachel Hall and Amelia Gentleman. March 25, 2022.