Royal Tour Reflections: What Could Will and Kate Have Done Differently?

And what is the role of these trips going forward? Insights from Nicole Allred and other members of the So Many Thoughts community, plus my thoughts on the lack of local fashion.

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By now you know that the response to the Cambridges’ tour of Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas was unlike anything we have seen before.

“When Royal Tours Fail,” read the headline on a CNN analysis piece by Max Foster. “Times have changed. The Royal Family have in the past been pretty good at changing with them. But not on this tour,” wrote Jonny Dymond, royal correspondent for the BBC. And from Victoria Murphy in Town & Country: “It was the protests, not the pleasantries, that took center-stage. A tour designed to increase ties ended up becoming a catalyst for a brighter spotlight on those calling to sever them.”

This week, several people wrote me to ask: What could Will and Kate have done differently? And what are the roles of these tours going forward?

Below, you’ll find a few answers to those questions. First up is my conversation with Nicole Allred, who shared her thoughts as a communications strategist and royal-watching Brit with ties to Jamaica. Next, you will find excerpts from some emails you all sent me about the tour (thank you!). And finally, I’ve got a few fashion-specific suggestions of my own to share with you.

What do you think Will and Kate could have done differently on tour? Please hit “Join the discussion” at the bottom of this email and share in the comments of the newsletter.

ICYMI: My tour newsletters on Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.

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Reflections on the Cambridges’ Royal Tour with Nicole Allred

As the Cambridges’ trip to the Caribbean wrapped up, I noticed a comment on one of my Instagram posts from Nicole Allred. I was lucky enough to connect with Nicole years ago via Instagram — of course! I’ve always valued her thoughts on the royal family. (You may remember Nicole from the conversation we had on Instagram Live with Temi Adamolekun following Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey last year.)

Nicole has built an impressive career as a communications strategist; her comment on the tour also jumped out because it mentioned her British family’s ties to Jamaica. In an effort to understand what the Cambridges could have done differently, I asked Nicole if she would be willing to share more of her thoughts (and I compensated her for her time and expertise).

Below you’ll find highlights from our conversation, which have been edited and condensed for clarity. We talked about the need for better high-level preparation and trip planning, along with Nicole’s thoughts on specific moments, like the fence photographs.

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing with us! You can follow Nicole on Instagram at @niccherelle.

How would you describe yourself as a royal watcher?

Nicole Allred: I started my career in fashion PR working for luxury women’s wear in London and absolutely loved it. My first love is always going to be fashion and style. I had walls with Vogue spreads all over them as a 14-year-old.

I think initially what drew me to the royals was style, the clothes that they wore. I remember being at university and we all gathered at the bar to watch Will and Kate getting married. The dress and everything — it was so exciting. I loved it and I was super into it.

As I grew and became more aware of the world, and hierarchies and class and race, it definitely soured it for me. I thought, “Oh, this is a closed system by design. No one can achieve this or aspire to it unless they’re born into it.” So that was what was kind of magical about Meghan and Harry. It was just such a beautiful moment of symbolism, of actually things could change.

And then with The Crown, the show, absolutely obsessed. And often can’t even explain why I was so obsessed with that.

What do you think is at the heart of what went wrong with the Cambridges’ Platinum Jubilee tour?

NA: I think that they were failed a little bit by their team. When you’re strategizing, one of the core and very, very elemental things is: Who is your audience? Who are you trying to talk to? Who are you trying to connect with? Who are your stakeholders?

Maybe that was the British public, but I would say that pretty high up there should have been the people on the ground. Again, it’s really basic, but: What is the sentiment? What are people saying? What do people think about this tour?

It's even more important to have that when you’re going to a Commonwealth country where race and history and slavery plays such a big role. It required and warranted a greater level of preparation before touching down in the country.

The world is in a different place to where we were even 10 years ago. There’s so much more awareness of things like the colonial past. We wouldn’t even really even be using that language a while back. And I think they are celebrating — or maybe they’re just living in — the past, as opposed to noting the shifts, the very real shifts, that have happened on a cultural basis across the world.

The Cambridges joined in dancing with Garifuna community in Belize. (Photo via Getty Images)

What could the Cambridges have done differently with this trip?

NA: I think in terms of good, better, and best. I think “good” would’ve actually been if they didn't want to address anything, if they didn't want to go into awkward conversations about reparations and slavery, they should have not gone on the tour.

The “better” would’ve been if they had gone to Jamaica and instantly, as soon as they touched down, given a speech that fully addressed why they were there, addressed the awkwardness of the situation, noted the tone, noted the pushback, the protests, and at least acknowledged it on the ground, first things first.

And the “best” would have been if they had included some historical context and difficult places that really spoke to this colonial past as opposed to all of the happy: “Yay, we’re just here for fun.” It almost seemed like they were there for a vacation. I get that they were trying to explore the culture and I do acknowledge that maybe some of the things were not organized by them. But it would’ve been awesome if they had, for example, gone to Kingston Harbour [the heart of Britain’s trans-Atlantic slave trade].

One defense I heard repeatedly during the tour was in regards to the very real limitations on what members of the royal family can do or say. What do you make of that?

NA: I look at this in two different ways. I look at it with my communications hat on and I know how many people have to sign off on every single word that they say. So as much as I wish that they could just talk from the heart — spontaneously apologize for everything — that’s not going to be signed off on by the Firm.

But taking that [communications] hat off, I don’t know how we move forward without people actually acknowledging the real harms that have been done. There needs to be something in between. I think this is maybe where it comes down to a diversity or wealth of perspectives that are advising them, because it’s not going to go away. It’s a conversation that will continue to be had.

The Cambridges played the drums on their first evening in Jamaica. (Photo via i-Images/Polaris)

What did you think of the engagements where Will and Kate participated in activities, like dancing and drumming?

NA: I don’t fault them for engaging. If you are there on the ground and you are interacting with people, it's really hard just to be like, “No, I'm not going to engage with you because this might come across weird.” You're just a person that is engaging with someone else.

I think it’s about balance. If there had been those difficult conversations, if there had been those difficult stops on the tour, if they had visited a slavery museum or Kingston Harbour, it would’ve balanced things out.

Again, it’s the job of their team to do that work. It's the job of their team to put them in those places, to think of every eventuality and how this might look and play out in the media. That’s literally their job. I don’t really fault Will and Kate for that.

And what about the photos of them shaking hands through the fence in Jamaica?

NA: I see it from the US lens and from the UK lens. And I think [from] the US lens, it’s horrific. It is reminiscent of the kids in cages on the border. With the UK lens, I’ve heard people say “It wasn't a big deal” and “Raheem Sterling did the exact same thing later.” But he’s a footballer and he’s not representing colonial Britain. Also, on an optics level, he’s Black and they’re white.

I actually don't fault Will and Kate. I wouldn't expect them in that situation to be like, “Oh, I’m not going to touch these children because it will look odd.” I don't think that’s for them to do, because, if I were in that situation, I’d be like, “Oh my gosh, look at all these kids. Amazing.” It’s for the team to know.

The Cambridges greeting the crowds through a fence in Trench Town, Jamaica. (Photo via i-Images/Polaris)

What about the moment in the back of the Land Rover, meant as a tribute a previous visit by the Queen? I’m still thinking about how unhappy Kate looked.

NA: Even just from a human-to-human perspective, I felt like she was an object, like a cake topper: “Let’s dress her up like a Barbie, put her on top of the car, and we’ll have this little fun celebration.” Except it wasn’t fun and we weren’t celebrating anything. Again, do the research. Do people care about the [Queen’s] 70th birthday? Do they care about the 70th year of reigning?

What did you make of Will’s comments about slavery?

NA: This consistent distance that we’re seeing between what happened, what was done, what took place — all of these ways to avoid saying “I had any part of it.” It's really telling and it doesn’t connect with the people who have been wronged. [The royal family is] a personification of the wealth and the systems that were achieved through slavery, as one of the predominant means, and that isn’t going unnoticed.

There are some people that would say, “Well, they weren’t responsible for it. It wasn’t them. How can they apologize for something that didn’t happen in their lifetime?” I do see that and I understand slightly where people are coming from with that. But there are ways to acknowledge and take accountability, regardless: “I am still profiting from that. I benefit from a system that was built off the back of slavery. I have been part of it.”

Do you think other members of the royal family would have been more effective on a tour like this?

If Harry and Meghan had been there I think it would’ve gone differently. It’s different visually, purely because of who they are. But I also think that they would’ve done the work to make sure it went differently.

They have a proven track record of talking about things that are difficult. We’ve seen Harry talk about racism and about people being treated differently because of the color of their skin. We know that Meghan can do that, too. Maybe they are not going as far as we would like them to, but it’s still something. They are making an effort to do the difficult things, as opposed to just doing the fun, easy, charm-offensive things. You can do both, but there needs to be balance. There needs to be something for people to hold onto.

We haven’t really seen that of Will and Kate and, when they do, it doesn’t go well. We’ve seen them put up those walls and it’s like, “I’m not talking about this. I’m not a racist. Conversation done.”

Do you think there is a place for these kinds of royal tours going forward?

I remain an optimist. I think there’s always space and room for people to change, for people to go in a positive direction, but it has to be for the right reasons. It can't just be because they want to appear a certain way. If there isn’t that genuine desire, then just don’t even bother. But I am hopeful that, if there is a real desire there, it can be done.

Would it be easy for them? No. They would need to do some real training to get to that point. Because I couldn't write something for Will right now and just give it to him [to say]. There’s no way. It wouldn't hit. There would be a massive disconnect, still. There needs to be a whole slew of work and steps taken. But I'm still of the mind that, if things are acknowledged, if they show that they were willing to take into account the things that people have experienced, the things that we’ve gone through as a community, the things that we’ve gone through as a world, and actually address them and talk about the hard things, I do think that people would take that as a step in the right direction.

In order for the royals to be relevant and to exist in the future, as an entity, they will need to roll and adapt to the shifting social commentary narratives, the demands, the way that people are changing. I think it’s time for that change.

Do you have a ‘But Mostly’ take away from the tour?

My family is Jamaican. My grandparents came to England. They are part of the Windrush generation. And I think there’s just a lot of unopened and unaddressed wounds there. And this is giving an opportunity for people to talk about how they feel about the Commonwealth, to question its existence, to push back. And I actually think that that is a really good thing. I think anything that gives way for these conversations to happen is great.

Thank you so much for your time and insights, Nicole.

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Your Thoughts on the Cambridges’ Tour

The SMT community had, ahem, so many thoughts on this tour. I asked on Instagram and in this newsletter what the Cambridges could have done differently; below are some excerpts from a few of the emails you sent. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write.

First, specific suggestions about the tour:

• Janet, on other places to visit: “I dearly wish that William and Kate had visited a museum or other local site(s) that explores the history and legacy of colonialism, or perhaps met with leaders in the post-colonialist movement. Either would have shown them engaged in learning about this history and the perspective it’s led to. Hearing the experiences of those who have been harmed is the first step in reconciliation, and cultural heritage sites are literally built for this kind of discussion. They have a nice tourism tie-in, too! Listening wouldn't require them to make promises that aren't theirs to make or to step into the world of politics, but bearing witness can be profound.”

• Jennifer, on a more diverse team: “It’s mind-boggling that even with the past two years of racist reckoning, including in their own family, that this type of tour was planned. But I can totally imagine the traditional, homogenous team thinking of it through one lens only. ‘Wow, let’s recreate the Jamaican moment from 40 years ago!’ A diverse team could’ve added the perspective they needed and avoided some of the mistakes they made.”

And then a few zoomed-out thoughts:

• Margaret, on the constraints: “I’m not sure that they could have done much differently. And here’s why — the Queen is still alive, they are still working under her direction. She is a member of the greatest generation, nearing the end of her reign and life. When she is gone, a chapter will be closed and a remarkable era will have ended. But she is not gone. And so there is little freedom for William and Catherine to do things their way.”

• Katie, on the framing: “I would really like to see the monarchy go on a listening tour. A bit less ‘parade around’ and ‘photo ops’ and a bit more: ‘We have a shared history, but what does our future look like and can we figure it out together?’”

• Shannon, on the possibilities: “If they’re willing to do even the most minimal amount of work, they could be the ones to evolve the royal family from the inside — find a balance between the stoic duty and service of their grandmother, but with a much more thoughtful, inclusive, empathetic perspective. I’m very cautiously optimistic that they will use this tour as an opportunity (a big shove) toward something better.”

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My Thoughts on Kate’s Tour-drobe

In the 17 looks Kate wore on tour, we saw just three pieces by local designers, one from each of the host countries: the Xe’il Belize embroidered clutch, two bracelets by Jamaica’s Lashawndla Bailey-Miller, and a pair of earrings by Bahamian designer Nadia Irena.

In the debate about whether the duchess could, or should, have worn more local pieces, I saw several comments point out that the duchess has overwhelmingly favored British designers on previous tours. That is correct! Her job as a member of the British Royal Family is to promote the British fashion industry.

However, I would argue that Kate raised the bar on herself with the couple's tour of Pakistan in the fall of 2019. For that five-day trip, her team worked with Pakistani fashion designer Maheen Khan. “I stock my clothes at O’nitaa in London and that’s where the Duchess’ style team first spotted them,” Khan told the website Images. “They chose off the rack while they also asked me to create some bespoke designs.” Kate wore two shalwar kameez, a pair of trousers, and a dupatta by Khan.

Two things that made this partnership an obvious fit: Khan used to work for Catherine Walker, one of Kate’s go-to British fashion houses. Also, traditional Pakistani styles are a departure from what Kate normally wears. My best guess is that her team knew they needed Pakistani expertise for those pieces.

Kate in Pakistan in October 2019 wearing a design by Maheen Khan. (Photo via i-Images/Polaris)

The results were amazing, and also incredibly impactful; Kate's tour-drobe was widely celebrated. “It’s been a while since clothes were employed quite so strategically and consistently to send an unspoken, but also unmistakable, message. The effect was refreshing,” wrote Vanessa Friedman in a New York Times’ piece headlined, “In Pakistan, Kate Middleton Aces Fashion Diplomacy.”

Fast forward to this tour — the Cambridges first in more than two years — and my expectations were still very much in line with Kate’s Pakistan choices. Yes, this was a very different trip, one meant to celebrate the Queen’s historic reign. But also, it was a charm offensive, meant to shore up support for the Crown among Commonwealth realms. I wish Kate and her team would have recognized what it would have meant to see her in an outfit or two by a Caribbean designer.

The missed opportunity feels particularly pronounced in Jamaica, a country to which so many young, talented designers have ties. Instead of the vintage frock for the soccer match, why not this black-and-white dress by Grace Wales Bonner? Or how about swapping the vintage orange purse for this crossbody bag by Brother Vellies from Aurora James? I would have loved to see Kate forgo the white lace McQueen for the military review and instead choose this knit top and crocheted skirt by Rachel Scott’s Diotima, which she launched to honor Jamaica’s history of crocheting.

Given the amount of time and advance planning that goes into a tour, there were other ways to incorporate local artisans. Could someone on the advance team, as part of a trip to the country ahead of time, buy jewelry, clothing, or even fabric to make into a dress? Or what about reaching out to a designer like Carly Cushnie, who was born in London and has ties to Jamaica? She closed her fashion line in the pandemic but perhaps she would have been open to bespoke work.

Would local fashion have solved the bigger problems with the tour? Absolutely not. But one, two, or even three outfits would have been a welcome and gracious gesture to her hosts.

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That's it for me, friends. Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back in your inboxes on Tuesday.

Have Thoughts to share? I’d love to hear them! Hit “Join the Discussion” and leave a comment on my Bulletin page. You can also send me an email at hello@somanythoughts.com.

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The So Many Thoughts newsletter comes out twice a week, with royal coverage on Fridays/Saturdays and more general style stories on Tuesdays. Please forward this to a friend! You can subscribe here, follow along on Instagram at @EHolmes, and check out my book, HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style. Thank you so much for supporting my work.