PRINCE William has told the Commonwealth it can decide its future after his Caribbean tour was marred by anti-royal protests.
Last night William — who lands back in the UK today with wife Kate — said: “Catherine and I are committed to service.”
He added: “For us that’s not telling people what to do.”
The Duke of Cambridge spoke out amid criticism of the couple’s attempted charm offensive on the eight-day trip to Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas.
Both Jamaica and Belize are set to pursue the path of ditching the Queen as Head of State.
They are planning to follow Barbados – which became a republic last December.
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In a statement, William, 39 — who impressed locals and politicians on the tour — conceded it had brought into sharper focus “questions about the past and the future”.
Kensington Palace issued William’s words to cap off the tour — which was supposed to cement the modern monarchy in three of the Queen’s realms and kick off celebration of 70 years on the throne.
But the couple’s visits took place against a backdrop of discontent and protests.
In his statement, William said: “Foreign tours are an opportunity to reflect. You learn so much.
“What is on the minds of Prime Ministers. The hopes and ambitions of school children. The day-to-day challenges faced by families and communities.
“I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future
“In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon.
“But we have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with communities in all three countries, understanding more about the issues that matter most to them.
“Catherine and I are committed to service. For us that’s not telling people what to do.
“It is about serving and supporting them in whatever way they think best, by using the platform we are lucky to have.
“It is why tours such as this reaffirm our desire to serve the people of the Commonwealth and to listen to communities around the world.
“Who the Commonwealth chooses to lead its family in the future isn’t what is on my mind.
“What matters to us is the potential the Commonwealth family has to create a better future for the people who form it, and our commitment to serve and support as best we can.”
Yesterday, on the final day of their tour, Kate, 40, matched her dress with the coral of The Bahamas and William spoke sympathetically to hurricane victims.
They went to Abaco Island where they visited Daystar Evangelical Church to hear how lives had been destroyed by 185mph Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
The category five monster killed more than 2,000 people lost their lives in the hurricane, including 200 on the paradise island alone.
It damaged 75 per cent of homes across the chain of islands which has the Queen as Head of State
They were greeted by Pastor Silbert Mills, who explained that one of the three church buildings was “completely destroyed, taken off its foundation”.
‘COMMITTED TO SERVICE’
As they were told about the devastation caused, William said: “You must have been terrified”.
Kate laid flowers at Abaco’s Memorial Wall before the couple went to a traditional Fish Fry.
The Duchess tried local delicacy “conch pistol” — which is said to have the same effect as viagra.
She held up the strip of flesh — commonly said to be the conch’s male genitalia — before trying it, to applause from the crowds.
Kate said: “I’m a little bit more adventurous than William is.” As the pair joked around, he said: “I can handle it.”
William said: “Ladies first’ before Kate tried it and said: ‘Delicious’.
William then made an impromptu stop at a bar. He slapped the bar top and said: “This is my stop!”
William was offered a Gully- wash — coconut juice with condensed milk.
He seemed to enjoy it and joked: “You guys talk among yourself I’m staying here.”
They moved on to stalls by the beach where vendors were selling handbags and homemade honey.
And they sampled some lobster salad at the Island Fusion street food stall before moving on to a walkabout to greet local people.
The Duke and Duchess shook hands with well wishers and spoke to people about the effects of the hurricane.
William turned own the chance to hold a baby — but agreed to pose next to the tot.
He had tinkered with a speech to VIPs in the Bahamas on Friday night in which he addressed the growing calls for Republicanism
The Bahamas Reparations Committee had rejected a speech William made in Jamaica addressing slavery and racism as “not enough”.
He told the Governor General’s gala dinner on Fridayr: “We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.”
On Thursday, in Belize, minister Henry Charles Usher announced its government was setting up the Good Governance Unit, to review the country’s constitution.
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He told the parliament: “Perhaps it is time for Belize to take that next step in truly owning our independence.”
Prince Edward, 58, and his wife Sophie Countess of Wessex, 57, are set to travel to the remaining Queen’s realms as part of the Platinum Jubilee tour next month.
