Cayman celebrates His Majesty King Charles III birthday

“Three Cheers for His Majesty!” said Her Excellency , Mrs Jane Owen, on His Majesty King Charles III first Commemoration Birthday Parade & Celebration, outside Government House on West Bay Road on Monday 19 June.

All the  detachments  of uniformed officers were there, including  contingents from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the Cayman Islands Regiment Cayman Islands Fire Service HM Cayman Islands Prision Service, and the Coast Guards. Youth organisations included the Girls’ Brigade, Scouts and Cub Scouts, Cayman Islands Cadet Corps, and the Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders.

Honourable Premier Wayne Panton recieved the General Salute from the uniformed detachments, just before the official arrive of Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs. Jane Owen. Then there was the Royal Salute and breaking out of the Royal Standard. Pastor Torrence Bobb prayed a blessing upon the proceedings, and also upon His Majesty King Charles. Mr James Geary sang the National Song, Beloved Isle Cayman.

Caymanians Garth Arch and James Watler received MBEs (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from King Charles in the King’s first Birthday Honours list. Mr Arch, Managing Director of construction firm, Arch and Godfrey, received his honour for his services to business, commerce and the community. He is also chairman of the Children and Youth Services Foundation of the Cayman Islands. Mr Watler is a retired civil servant and was president of the Civil Service Association for 10 years. He received his honour for his public service and for his services to education in the Cayman Islands..

Kings Honours were presented by Her Exellency Jane Owen. Recipents of Honours & Awards included Mrs. Cindy Scotland who recieved the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). She had been sponsored by Mr. George A. McCarthy OBE, JP, and Dr the Honourable Linford Pierson, OBE. JP.

Recipients of the British Empire Medal (BEM)  included Ms. Susan Elizabeth Horrocks for services to the arts in the Cayman Islands; Mrs. Reina Jefferson Cert Hon, for services to literacy and education in the Cayman Isands; Mrs. Claira Range For services to the Prison Service and to the wider community in the Cayman Islands.

Recipients of the Cayman Islands Certificate & Badge of Honour (Cert Hon)  included Mr. Christopher Murray for services to at risk youth in the Cayman Islands, Mr. Jordan Crooks for world-class achievment in swimming and Mr. Edgar Ashton Bodden, for public services in the Cayman Islands; Mrs. Chevala LaWanda Burke for services to government and the wider community in the Cayman Islands.

Later on, at the end of the afternoon, there was a special King’s Birthday Party in the grounds of Government House, where everyone enjoyed food and drinks and fellowship in style.

His Majesty King Charles III became King on 8 September 2022 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 6 May this year. In addition to his official and ceremonial duties in the United Kingdom and overseas, His Majesty has taken a keen interest in all areas of public life and has been instrumental in establishing more than 20 charities .