Trying to keep countries in the Commonwealth is a ‘losing battle’ for royals, Camilla Tominey claims

Trying to keep countries in the Commonwealth might be a ‘losing battle’ for the Royal Family, royal commentator Camilla Tominey has claimed, in the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s tense tour of the Caribbean. 

Camilla, who is the Daily Telegraph’s royal editor, was discussing the protesters calling for independence who greeted Prince William, 39 and Kate Middleton, 40, in Jamaica and Belize this week. 

Speaking with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning from her house in Hertfordshire, the royal expert said that more countries might ‘flirt with republicanism’ and leave the Commonwealth when the Prince of Wales, 73, becomes King.

Camilla said that while the Queen, 95, is ‘sacrosanct’ among the Commonwealth because she’s dedicated her life to serving its people, Charles is a more ‘polarising’ figure, which could trigger the departure of other countries when he ascends the throne. 

This comes as Prince William used the royal visit to Jamaica to tackle Britain’s historic role in the slave trade, describing it as ‘abhorrent’ and a ‘stain on our history’ in a keynote speech alongside his wife at a state dinner last night.

Camilla began by saying that the Queen ‘has arguable been one of the biggest champions of the Commonwealth and its people,’ by visiting each of the nations several times throughout her reign to make sure they got to see their monarch as much as possible. 

However, she claimed that more people might want to move on from monarchy once Prince Charles takes her place as sovereign. 

‘From modern day royals’ perspective, they think they’ve done a great deal to forge Commonwealth ties, but of course they might be facing a losing battle here,’ she said.

‘The truth of the matter is, because of the Queen’s performance on the throne and her solid support of Commonwealth Countries, she remains sacrosanct.

Speaking with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning from her house in Hertfordshire, the royal expert said that more countries might ‘flirt with republicanism’ and leave the Commonwealth when the Prince of Wales, 73, becomes King

‘Are there going to be more countries flirting with republicanism when we have King Charles III on the throne? Well, yes, maybe,’ she added. 

The expert claimed that the fact that Charles is a more ‘polarising’ figure than his mother and the changing times, namely the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, has put the UK’s colonial past into perspective. 

‘He hasn’t got that 70 year-sense of longevity and service to the crown and maybe then, especially because it’s 2022 and we’ve had the Black Lives Matter movement and far more thought was given to our colonial past, maybe some of these Commonwealth Countries will fall away,’ she said. 

‘They’ll remain in the Commonwealth family, and we will support that, but they may  become republics, but will not be the Commonwealth realms of which the Queen is head of,’ she added. 

While the Queen has been applauded for being one of the best-travelled Monarchs in history, Prince Charles might see some of the Commonwealth countries move on from Monarcy, the expert said 

Camilla told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, left, that Prince William, 39 and Kate Middleton, 40, will have to address the UK’s colonial past to remain relevant with their younger subjects 

Camilla went on to say more was expected of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge than to travel overseas and not address the ‘elephant in the room’

‘The days of us accepting royals, walking around foreign climbs, not addressing the elephant in the room which is our imperialism and colonial past is over,’ she told Phil and Holly.  

‘And maybe that’s a good thing. If you want to remain relevant to the next generation, Will and Kate of course have to accept some of the dissent that they encounter when they go on these tours,’ she added.

‘My only overriding point would be. If these countries are to be republics, they probably shouldn’t take the Barbados approach, which was just for the government to decide, they should genuinely put it to a vote,’ she said. 

The Duke of Cambridge, pictured with the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness and his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, has faced the issue of Britain’s historic role in the slave trade head on, describing it as ‘abhorrent’ and a ‘stain on our history’ in a keynote speech alongside his wife Kate at a state dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica at King’s House

Her comments come after Prince William spoke of the ‘appalling atrocity’ of slavery in Jamiaca at a state dinner last night, and expressed his ‘profound sorrow’ that it had ever happened.

His speech came during a tricky tour for the royals, where the Cambridges were greeted like rock stars by the public but politicians, including prime minister Andrew Holness, used meetings to make clear in public they will push for the island to be a republic with a referendum this year. 

There was also a protest outside the British High Commission by republicans also demanding slavery reparations from Britain and the royals.

In a landmark speech William also referred to his father’s previous condemnation of slavery – but stopped short of apologising for the Royal Family’s part in the trade.

He said: ‘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. ‘

He continued: ‘While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude.

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles at her husband before he gave his landmark speech on slavery

‘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.

‘I’m delighted that a national monument acknowledging and celebrating the Windrush generation by Jamaican artist, Basil Watson, will be unveiled later this year in Waterloo Station in London.’

It comes as Jamaica’s Prime Minister warned the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that his nation is ‘moving on’ and intends to ditch the monarchy during a tense meeting this afternoon following anti-monarchy protests on the Caribbean island as its politicians push for a 2022 independence vote and slave trade reparations.

During the emotional speech, William also said he and his wife were ‘very pleased’ to be on our first official visit to Jamaica, adding: ‘All my family have enjoyed their visits here so much. They have waxed lyrical about the warmth and sense of fun of the Jamaican people and the beauty of this island.

‘Already in our short time here, Catherine and I are delighted to have felt what Bob Marley described so many years ago – the spirit of ‘One love’ that Jamaica has given to the world and which makes this country so special.

‘I’m particularly pleased tonight to convey the very best wishes from my grandmother, The Queen of Jamaica, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.

‘It is no secret that The Queen has a deep affection for Jamaica, forged on her very first visit here with my grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1953.

Prince William during a visit with the Governor General of Jamaica at Kings House in Kingston

Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, leave the RAF Voyager aircraft at Norman Manley International Airport as they continue their tour of the Caribbean

‘And likewise I have been touched to hear today from Jamaicans, young and old, about their affection for The Queen.

‘Her dedication, commitment, and sense of duty to the Commonwealth family is deeply admired. She may be my actual grandmother, but everyone counts her as their grandmother too. And I’m ok with that!

‘And of course, as The Queen marks seventy years on the throne, this is also a very special year for Jamaica, as you celebrate your sixtieth anniversary of independence. Now that’s double the excuse for a party!’

Prince William was given a polite round of applause following his seven minute address to a complete and respectful silence ballroom at the Governor General’s home.