PRINCE William told of his “profound sorrow” regarding the “abhorrent” issue of slavery during a landmark speech in Jamaica.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, addressed politicians amid the continuing unrest across the nation in wake of demands for the Royal Family to apologise and pay billions of pounds in reparations.
He told guests at the black-tie banquet “it should never have happened” before reiterating the words of his father Prince Charles.
The Duke echoed the Prince of Wales’ words during his speech, who branded the slave trade a “stain on our history” four months ago when Caribbean neighbours Barbados declared itself a republic.
William also hailed the “spirit” of the Windrush Generation who came from Jamaica and settled in Britain post-war.
There are claims that Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness will pursue the process of ditching the Queen as head of state after the current royal visit.
William said last night: “Anniversaries are also a moment for reflection, particularly this week with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
“I strongly agree with my father, The Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history.
“I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened.
“While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude,” he continued.
“The strength and shared sense of purpose of the Jamaican people, represented in your flag and motto, celebrate an invincible spirit.
“It is this same spirit that spurred on the Windrush generation, who came to the United Kingdom to help rebuild after the Second World War.
“We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society.”
The words come amid mounting opposition to the Royal Family in the Caribbean and a string of organised protests.
Only hours earlier PM Holness told the prince that Jamaica was “moving on” as an “independent, developed, prosperous country”.
The Duke signed off with the infamous Bob Marley words “One Love”.
ONE LOVE
Kate and William were earlier pictured together on a staircase in a replica of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 1953.
In his speech, he praised the Queen, saying: “Her dedication, commitment, and sense of duty to the Commonwealth family is deeply admired.
“She may be my actual grandmother, but every one counts her as their grandmother too. And I’m ok with that!”
The Duke also recognised the “huge change” in Jamaica and its PM’s condemnation along with the UK of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
He added: “Over the decades, Jamaica has witnessed huge change.
“But what hasn’t changed is the irrefutable Jamaican belief in upholding democracy and working together with other nations in support of peace, security and international law.
“Prime Minister, your strong statement condemning the invasion of Ukraine is testament to that.”
Kate and Wills are currently in Jamaica for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to mark Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence.
The Duke’s milestone speech comes after the Cambridges were forced to cancel their first engagement in Belize due to a row over indigenous rights.
They were due to kick off their Caribbean tour with a trip to a cocoa farm on Sunday.
But residents in the small village of Indian Creek staged a protest against the trip, describing it as “colonialism” and a “slap in the face”.
Villagers were said to be particularly outraged the Cambridges were allowed to land their helicopter on the village football field without permission.
William’s sorrowful words come after Prince Charles branded slavery an “appalling atrocity” in Ghana in November 2018.
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He said: “The appalling atrocity of the slave trade, and the unimaginable suffering it caused, left an indelible stain on the history of our world.”
He then admitted that slavery has been a “dark stain” on Britain as he congratulated Barbados on becoming a Republic in December.
