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The couple were met with banners of protest on their visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines. About 15 people stood outside Government House on the island with banners demanding “End to colonialism” and “#CompensationNow”.

The protests came after an open letter from the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission which urged Edward and Sophie to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over slavery.

Other banners included “Down with neo colonialism” and “Britain your debt is outstanding”.

The demonstration comes after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were criticised for elements of their recent Caribbean tour, which were deemed to hark back to colonial days.

Edward and Sophie had received their second red carpet and guard of honour welcome on Saturday after landing in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as scouts, girl guides and cadets waved the national flag.

Steel drums playing One Love by Bob Marley was the backdrop to the couple’s official welcome to the island.

Before their arrival, the couple had received a warning from another Caribbean country to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over slavery.

In an open letter to the pair, Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission said: “We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you that these crimes are a ‘stain on your history’.

“For us, they are the source of genocide and of continuing deep international injury, injustice and racism.”

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“We hope you will respect us by not repeating the mantra. We are not simpletons.”

Despite the warning, the reception for the couple was friendly, and they were presented with a bouquet of flowers by primary school pupil Ashley Church.

Before standing on a platform to observe a guard of honour, Edward was greeted by governor general Dame Susan Dougan, followed by acting prime minister Montgomery Daniel.

The couple carried out separate engagements for part of their one-day trip to the island.

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Sophie, who wore a floral dress on Saturday, visited a community college, where she was welcomed by the La Gracia Dance Company.

The dancers, all of a variety of ages, put on a short performance for the countess to a song with lyrics such as “welcome to St Vincent”.

She posed for pictures with the children before heading onto a number of stalls set up next to the college theatre.

The countess then met representatives of two organisations – Persons With Disabilities, and the Society Of And For The Blind.

Edward visited the island’s national stadium where he met athletes training for Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games.

He observed two sprint races held in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.

The earl also watched the end of a T10 women’s cricket match and met some of the country’s netball and tennis teams.

Later, after the couple had lunch with the governor general and the islands’ acting prime minister, they visited a botanical gardens.

The pair were due to plant a tree to mark the Queen’s 70 years as monarch, before hearing about the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before leaving, Edward and Sophie will travel to the residence of the island’s prime minister for a meeting with the acting PM and members of cabinet.

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