Earl and Countess of Wessex Postpone Visit to Grenada, Leaving Many Surprised

The Earl and Countess of Wessex were set to embark on a six-day platinum jubilee tour of the Caribbean, including a visit to Grenada.

However, their plans were abruptly postponed just one day before their scheduled arrival.

Buckingham Palace provided no explanation for the sudden change, leaving many wondering what could have caused such a last-minute decision.

Royal visits are typically meticulously planned, making this postponement all the more unusual.

The royal tour is set to commence on Friday, April 22nd, and will include visits to Antigua, Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Despite the unexpected setback, the couple expressed their desire to visit Grenada at a later date.

The decision to postpone the visit was made following discussions between Buckingham Palace, the Grenada government, and the Governor-General, who serves as the Queen’s representative on the island.

However, no further details have been provided by royal aides.

The purpose of the tour is to honor both the island nations and the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Prior to the postponement, the palace and the host Caribbean countries had engaged in discussions regarding the couple’s itinerary.

It was during these conversations that the idea of postponing the visit was proposed.

This comes in the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s recent tour of Belize, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, which faced some criticism and protests.

In fact, there were calls for these three countries to become republics, with the Prime Minister of Jamaica expressing his country’s aspirations for a future without the monarchy.

Grenada gained independence in 1974 but still recognizes the Queen as its head of state.

However, the centre-left opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, has previously stated that it would hold a referendum on constitutional change to determine whether the Queen should be removed as head of state if they were to come into power.

The National Democratic Congress previously governed from 2008 to 2013 but lost its seats to the new national party in 2013.

Buckingham Palace released a statement outlining the Earl and Countess’ plans for the tour.

They will engage with local communities, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and young people to celebrate the culture, future, and vibrancy of the islands.

Additionally, during their visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Earl of Wessex will meet athletes who are training for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

Meanwhile, the Countess will have discussions with women in leadership roles about the community’s response to the recent eruption of the La Soufriere volcano.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the Earl and Countess will learn more about the significance of sports in the community.

They will have the opportunity to meet legendary West Indies cricketers and the national rowing team of Antigua.