A Canadian indigenous leader has repeatedly snubbed British royals the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by declining invitations to meet the couple on their first official tour of Canada.
The action comes from Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, and is reported to be a protest against the Canadian government, according to CNN. Phillip did not join the Cambridges at scheduled appearances at British Columbia University and at a reconciliation ceremony in Victoria earlier this week.
On their eight-day trip to British Columbia and the Yukon, with both their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Princess Kate were greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and have attended traditional cultural performances and workshops. In a statement to CNN,Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said that his non-attendance meant “no disrespect”, but that cancelling the meetings was “a matter of principle”.
[CNN]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com