In Jamaica’s capital metropolis, ties to the monarchy run deep.
The markets in downtown Kingston are referred to as Coronation, Jubilee and Queen’s and lots of of their merchants bear in mind Queen Elizabeth II with fondness.
“I loved her so much,” says Steve Pryce, between slicing slices of watermelon on his fruit and vegetable stall. “When I heard she died I was the first one crying in Jamaica.”
But that is an island divided on its future, with current polling suggesting greater than 50% of individuals would favour Jamaica changing into a republic and breaking away from the monarchy. The demise of the Queen has accelerated a debate which, broadly talking, carries a generational break up.
Older Jamaicans have a tendency to carry onto custom, with some wistfully recalling occasions when the connection with the United Kingdom was even nearer.
“I have family members who lived in England, went to school in England and married English women or English men,” says Alexis McDavid, an outreach officer on the National Museum Jamaica. “That connection is still very much there.
“But I personally imagine the youthful era developing in politics want to actually push for the referendum [on Jamaica becoming a republic] to occur, as a result of that course of goes to take time, maybe even years. I do suppose that the monarchy’s days within the Caribbean are numbered.”
A new generation
At Kingston College, some of the country’s best young sprinters are training after school. Jamaica’s dominance on the world stage is a source of national pride, its medals viewed as a symbol of independence.
For the teenage boys practising their sprint start, those they view as Kings and Queens compete on the track, but the future of the British monarchy here is more uncertain.
“I do not know what the royal household does for Jamaica,” says Nicholas Francis, a 100m and 200m runner. “I want King Charles one of the best, however I do not know what he is doing in the neighborhood I’m from.”
Antwon Walkin, a discus thrower from Turks and Caicos, says Jamaica is prepared for a referendum on changing into a republic. “I think there’s a trend with the bigger Caribbean countries, Barbados and Trinidad, both becoming republics.
“I feel that Jamaica is behind that sort of motion and for their very own elected head of state.”
Slavery apology
Jamaica gained political independence from Britain in 1962 but the Queen remained head of state and visited six times during her reign. Royal visits over the decades have been marked by calls for an apology over the monarchy’s role in supporting the slave trade during colonial rule.
“There’s by no means been an apology,” says Alexis McDavid. “There’ve been roundabout apologies, however not an actual honest apology for the atrocities dedicated on our former enslaved African ancestors. That apology wants to come back from the royal household and the British authorities, each hopefully on the identical time.”
When the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge came to Jamaica earlier this year, Prince William expressed “profound sorrow” over slavery. But their trip was beset by poor optics, not least when Catherine was pictured holding hands with black children through a wire fence.
Jamaican politician Lisa Hanna says the demise of the Queen has “cemented” Jamaica transferring to develop into a republic.
“I think Gen Zs and Millennials, even Boomers are saying ‘this is a time now for us to chart our own destiny’,” says Hanna.
“We don’t want those generations or the future generations having to deal with some of the same systemic problems that we dealt with in terms of classism, in terms of the lack of education, in terms of living in the margins of society. We want to have our own people leading us.”
Jamaica is far altered from the nation which Queen Elizabeth II grew to become head of state of in 1952.
It has advanced socially, culturally and economically and its views of the monarchy have, too, which means King Charles III faces advanced challenges right here and throughout the commonwealth.
This is an island which can quickly select to chop itself adrift from previous establishments.
Source: information.sky.com”