PRINCE William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge at the first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at Alexandra Palace in London in October last year. Created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, The Earthshot Prize has led a global search for the most inspiring and innovative solutions to the greatest environmental challenges facing the planet - and during the couple’s visit to The Bahamas they are expected to visit Coral Vita, a winner of a $1m prize in the awards. Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit The Bahamas next month.
Local government officials, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to discuss the matter, confirmed their expected Royal visit to a Tribune reporter.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to host a press conference today on the matter.
According to international reports, the couple will also visit Jamaica and Belize in what will be their first major overseas tour since before the pandemic.
The visits will coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Daily Telegraph, a United Kingdom-based newspaper, reported the Royal couple will be in the region for about 12 days.
This newspaper understands that representatives of the monarch were recently in The Bahamas to discuss the planned visit.
The couple will reportedly visit Coral Vita, a coral farm in Grand Bahama focused on reef restoration that was named one of the five $1m winners of the Duke’s inaugural Earthshot prize last year.
Some observers say the planned visit is to help shore up support for the monarchy in the region.
Barbados recently became the latest country to remove the Queen as head of state as it transitioned to a republic.
Since then, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has said The Bahamas will eventually become a republic too, although the process for making the change is more difficult here than in Barbados.
“I suspect that there will be a cascading effect since Barbados - arguably the most conservative of CARICOM societies - has done so,” Mr Mitchell said. “The whole question of whether or not a republic is impatient of debate, but the political reality is that unless the younger generation buys into it, it will go nowhere.
“(Transitioning to a republic) is not the official policy of the government, but in a democracy we must always seek to build a consensus for change and where I am now positioned both in time and space, I do not have the luxury of dithering.”
Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, visited The Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica in 2012 during a royal tour for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Comments
mandela 2 years, 2 months ago
Time to bring out the paint, curbsides and trees here we go again.
bahamian242 2 years, 2 months ago
I hope this is the way forward to becoming a Republic for The 🇧🇸
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 2 months ago
Whats in a name?
LivinginParadise 2 years, 2 months ago
Were they invited by the Bahamian Government? Or did they just choose from a list of former colonies to visit to get some sunshine? Barbados had the right idea: get rid of these self-serving royal blue bloods who contribute nothing other than catering to a nostalgic past.
Alan1 2 years, 2 months ago
We will look forward to their visit . Prince William and his wife have been very interested in promoting environmental and climate change concerns which are vital issues for our country . Their contribution at the recent international conference in Glasgow was well received. The publicity associated with their visit should raise our problems internationally. We have a good system of government which works well here. It is a democratic foundation which has encouraged investment together with an impartial court system which is important for investors to ensure their assets are protected. Why would we want to change a system which works? There are enough failed third world republics. Why would we want to join that club?
TalRussell 2 years, 2 months ago
Time brung out the Ladies Hat Boxes stored away in de closet since de Royal Swear-in of still the UK Colony's Government, ― Yes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yT21...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yT21...
tribanon 2 years, 2 months ago
The Who's Who of The Lyford Cay Community are all giddy as they ready themselves for this Royal visit. But some of them are asking: "Do we really have to stomach the presence of the likes of Mitchell, Davis and Cooper at the social events we plan to hold in our gated community for William and Kate?" LOL
birdiestrachan 2 years, 2 months ago
I pray that we will have good weather so that they can enjoy the beautiful Bahamas \ we call home.
hrysippus 2 years, 2 months ago
This Royal visit is pretty much irrelevant to most every ordinary citizen. A little entertainment value perhaps. Thank goodness we have a decent Governor General again.
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