‘Kate come right out’ - Admiration for William and Catherine in Jamaican ghetto

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, received only love when they set feet in Trench Town, a tough inner-city community in Kingston yesterday. Scores of adoring admirers came out to get a glimpse of the royal couple who visited the old stomping ground of reggae legend Bob Marley shortly after landing in the island. Many of the people who turned out appeared to have been struck by the seeming easy-going nature of William who showed off his football skills.

One resident Marlene Thompson said that while she is not a fan of celebrities, she now has a new found respect for William and Kate.

"Mi know if it did up to the Government them would't come here suh, but dem come and a interact with us," Thompson said.

"Mi call to Kate and she wave. Mi just feel like seh because we welcome dem, dem a guh fly di gate on the British visa dem," she added.

Kate, too, had her admirers.

"Mi nah lie, Kate come right out, like one a di dolly dem.," one woman exclaimed. "Look ponytail nice girl inna nice chiffon frock. Kate, you a gwan with yourself. Look over here suh goods," a female shouted to Kate as she posed for a photo moment.

Meanwhile, William rubbed shoulders with the likes of English Premier League stars Raheem Sterling and Leon Bailey, as well as local footballers, during an exhibition game in the community.

The royal visit, which forms part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, has been overshadowed by controversy. Many Jamaicans have noted that the royal family is yet to apologise for the atrocities of slavery. There have also been strident calls for Britain to pay reparations for the inhuman system which built its economy.

Despite the Queen being Jamaica's Head of State, nationals require a visa to travel to England. The country's final court is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and parliamentarians are required to pray for the "honour and happiness of the Queen" at the start of each sitting of the House of Representatives.

Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962, making this the country's 60th year as an independent nation. But Trench Town resident David Stennet, a Rastafarian, believes that Jamaica should have remained under British rule.

"Mi feel like we economy and country would be better if a dem did a run Jamaica because a would a pound [sterling] we a spend," the Rastafarian said.

He further told THE STAR that he hopes that the visit will redound to the benefit of the community, which he notes is rich is history but lacking in development.

"There are lots of talents here and I am hoping that they will recognise that. I am an artiste so a training school or centre would help us out," Stennet said.