Trench Town Splits With Beenie Man As Royal Couple Greeted Like Superstars
On the day that Beenie Man made international headlines for Jamaicans were not enthusiastic about Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton’s visit, his Trench Town compatriots appear to have proven him wrong.
The headlines today read differently, as yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were treated like Olympic champions as they walked the streets of Trench Town in making their way to Culture Yard, with Entertainment and Culture Minister Olivia Grange and a massive throng in tow, as seen in an Irie FM Livestream.
As William and Kate walked towards the venue, there were wild cheers, and chants of “we love prince”, as gleeful children and adults lined the road to get a glimpse, touch and speak with the Royals, who, even though close-marked by their security detail, paused at intervals to stoop and chat with small children.
The Duke and Duchess also received more cheers as William participated in a football match alongside Jamaican-born England footballer Rahiem Sterling and Reggae Boy Leon Bailey at the field in Trench Town, where Bob Marley spent his boyhood years and started his music career.
Yesterday, Beenie said that while Jamaicans are not interested in seeing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it would have been the opposite if it were William’s younger brother Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who were coming, as the 37 year-old is well-liked by Jamaicans.
“If Harry did deh yah now, people woulda react different. People woulda guh meet Harry. But William, nobaddy nuh wat see dat,” Beenie had said in the interview, in which he also stated that Jamaicans wanted to do away with the Monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II, whom he said was “not doing nothing” for Jamaica.
William and Kate had arrived yesterday afternoon at the Norman Manley International airport for a three-day stay to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, this amid a protest and expressed resentment over Britain’s role in the TransAtlantic Slave Trade.
That protest, which was organised by the Advocates Network, took place in the precincts of the British High Commission far away from the festivities. It was staged in a bid to demand that Great Britain apologises for its role in the slave trade and pays reparations to the descendants of those enslaved.
The participants included Reggae/Dancehall artiste Queen Ifrica and other Rastarfarians, who called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to, among other things remove the Queen as Head of State.
However, even though the Rastafarians have historically “burnt a fire” on the Monarchy, and labelled it Babylon, Earl Chinna Smith the legendary High Priest of Reggae Guitar, who co-produced dubpoet Mutabruka’s 1983 debut studio album Check It! was among those providing the entertainment for the Royals, along with his Nyahbinghi drum orchestra, and who, according to The Gleaner, “chanted reggae melodies as they waited for the Duke and Duchess to arrive”.
“I’m grateful to know the king want to hear Rasta music,” Chinna is quoted as saying.
Kate and William were even spotted playing congo drums along with the group of Rasta men.
Later, also at the football field, they met track stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
“What an incredible day at Trench Town – the birthplace of reggae music in the heart of Kingston. Jamaica has made an extraordinary contribution towards music and sport globally. From speaking with @fastelaine, @realshellyannfp, the amazing bobsleigh team and @sterling7 & @leonbailey to hearing about Bob Marley’s lasting influence, it’s clear how these role models will continue to inspire young Jamaicans for generations to come,” the couple posted on their Instagram page following their visit.
“Thank you Trench Town,” they added in a video post, which showed scenes of their visit to the community, with Bob Marley‘s One Love playing in the background.
Jamaica is one of three Caribbean countries, including Belize and The Bahamas, which the Duke and Duchess are visiting on the 2022 Royal Tour.
A news release from King’s House a few weeks ago, said that the visit is part of the celebrations to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, and the 60th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence.
William and Kate had earlier canceled a visit to a village in Belize following a protest by residents over the royal family’s ancestors’ ties to slavery.