2022 - The Year of The Queen

By Michael Jarvis, UK Correspondent

Of the many events and issues that will be imprinted in the annals of the recorded history of 2022, two events stand out, and though physically removed from Cayman their individual and dual impact resonated and reverberated throughout our society.

There’s no doubt that the past year 2022 will be remembered globally and here in Cayman for, among other things; Russia’s war on Ukraine and its repercussions right here in the jurisdiction with British sanctions on Russian assets held here, the continuing impact of climate change on our weather (despite our lucky escape once again from direct hit by hurricanes), and for finally opening up our borders as we emerged from the COVID-19 endemic lockdowns.

We celebrated achievements on the national and global stage of our stars in all categories from sports to culture, business, and yes - politics. We marvelled at the antics - and sheer survivability - of some politicians locally, regionally and globally, we’ve seen honours bestowed and misfortunes regretted, and we’ve mourned our national icons who passed.

But amongst all that two events that revolved around one exceptional person of global prominence seared into our consciousness; celebrated in one breath, grief-stricken in the next.

In the outpouring of pride and joy as Cayman joined the rest of the British family, the Commonwealth and the world in marking the 70th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Cayman was not to be outdone in the global observation and celebration of this truly royal occasion.

But that outpouring of joy in all its magnificence, pomp and celebration in June was to be overshadowed in just a matter of months by a pall of sadness that hung over the land as we mourned the death in September of this most beloved icon.

Once again, as we did in rising to the occasion in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, so it was with respectful solemnity that Cayman marked her passing, expected as she had started looking frail at age 96 but at the same time a sudden shock as she had become a seemingly permanent fixture in our lives.

One lady, two globally significant events just a matter of months apart; one celebrating her era-defining achievement, the other bringing an end to her era.

From her two visits to Cayman in 1983 and 1994, her portrait which adorns offices and homes across the land, and public spaces named in her honour, for what she meant to this jurisdiction, the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth will long live on in Cayman.