Governor announces Royal Visit to the Cayman Islands

Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex will visit the Cayman Islands from Monday 20 until Wednesday 22 February.

After a meeting at Government House with the Governor and the Premier, Their Royal Highnesses will meet a wide variety of invited guests at a reception hosted by the Governor and Mrs Roper at Government House.

His Royal Highness, as longstanding patron of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) will spend time with them on Little Cayman in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Earl’s Royal Patronage and will launch CCMI’s Coral Fund. The Premier will host a lunch for the Earl on Little Cayman to discuss climate change and sustainability in the Cayman Islands. His Royal Highness will later spend time with the Cayman Islands Coast Guard, observing their maritime capabilities, inspect a guard of honor from the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and see the Cayman Islands Regiment demonstrate their disaster resilience response.

The Countess of Wessex, as Global Ambassador of 100 Women in Finance, will support their causes during the visit. Her Royal Highness will attend the Agriculture Show on Ash Wednesday 22 February, and will formally open the show by ringing the cow bell before taking a tour, accompanied by the Hon. Premier. The Countess will also visit the YMCA Field of Dreams in George Town to meet children attending the mid-term break camp.

The Earl and Countess will congratulate Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awardees before departing on the next leg of their trip.

Governor Martyn Roper said “Their Royal Highnesses are visiting the Cayman Islands not only to support two excellent charities that enjoy their patronage, but to also spend time meeting our community. The Agricultural Show will be an opportunity for Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex to talk to people from different districts and learn more about Caymanian culture. I am pleased that His Royal Highness will spend time on Little Cayman as well as Grand Cayman, supporting CCMI and also hearing about the Cayman Government’s sustainability and climate resiliency plans. I know the real affection that Caymanians feel towards The Royal Family and the visit is an opportunity to celebrate our links with the UK and showcase what our islands have to offer.

“My time here began with the visit by the former Prince of Wales and it is fitting that my time here in Cayman should end with a visit from his brother, HRH The Earl of Wessex. I look forward to welcoming the Royal couple to the Cayman Islands. ”

Premier Wayne Panton, JP, MP said: "As His Excellency the Governor stated, we are honoured that Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex are visiting us this year. This is also a special time as we celebrate the 54th year of the Cayman Islands Agricultural Show. We are honoured that Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, is interested in learning about Caymanian agriculture and our youth development initiatives. We also thank His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, for supporting CCMI and his openness to hearing about our climate resiliency framework. His Royal Highness will also observe our hardworking, uniformed personnel who diligently serve this country. We look forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, to our shores on 20 February. I am confident this time will be forever cherished and fondly remembered." Premier Panton concluded.