Royal Tour of The Caribbean: Jamaica – Day Two

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started today, Wednesday March 23, their second day in Jamaica.
The first event was the meeting with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet at Vale Royal, their official residence in Kingston. The Royal couple also met with several members of the government and signed the visitor’s book.
Then the Duke and the Duchess paid a visit to the Shortwood Teachers’ College, a college founded in 1885 that offers “programmes which prepare students to teach at the Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary level education”. At the college they were welcomed by the College Principal, Dr. Claudette Barrett-March and Maureen Dwyer, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, then they attended a roundtable meeting focused on early years in Jamaica and the College’s research faculty.
Following the roundtable meeting, the Royal couple met with primary school children and their parents.
During the visit the Duchess held a speech praising the college because “it has been supporting teachers and therefore the children of Jamaica for over one hundred years” and talking about the importance of early years and children’s development.
Afterwards the Duke and the Duchess visited the Spanish Town Hospital where they were greeted by Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness. The Royal couple met with the staff who responded to the COVID pandemic and was informed about how the healthcare system in Jamaica is being affected. They also visited the neonatal and maternity ward.
Later the Duke and the Duchess, accompanied by Dr. Horace Chang, Security Minister, visited the Infantry Training Centre in Montego Bay.
There they were received by National Security Minister, Horace Chang, met with Jamaican Armed Forces and had a demonstration about how to operate the driving simulator.
In the evening the Royal couple attended a gala dinner hosted by Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, at King’s House in Kingston.
The Duke, in his speech, said: “I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened”, adding that “While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude”.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Jamaica, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke of Cambridge.