Queen’s royal visits remembered

By Christopher Tobutt.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made two royal tours of the Cayman islands, one in February 1983, and the second one on February 26-27 1994. She was accompanied by Prince Phillip, her husband, on both tours and together they met many dignitaries.

During the first tour in 1983 the Queen and Prince Phillip were greeted by elected officials and senior civil servants at Owen Roberts International Airport. The second tour saw the royal couple arrive by sea, with the Royal Yacht nchored just off George Town Harbor. The couple came ashore in a smaller boat, as thousands of Caymanians lined the streets, waving Union Jack flags.

During the first visit, the Queen officially opened the Queen’s Highway. She also formally opened the Pines Retirement Home. The Queen also conferred the prefix, “Royal,” to the Cayman Islands Police Force. With an introduction by the Governor, George Peter Lloyd, and the Chief Secretary more members of the Legislative Assembly and dignitaries met the royal visitors Including Mr. Dalmain Ebanks, Mr. Garston Smith and Mr. Norman Bodden. She also met with Police Commissioner EJE Stowers whom the Queen presented with a Medal for Distinguished Service. Superintendent Harry Brown and Superintendent Rudolf Evans also received awards. Her Majesty was taken on a tour around some historic and heritage sites, including some traditional Caymanian wattle& daub buildings, by National Hero James Manoah Bodden.

During her second visit, Her Majesty the Queen was driven was from the harbour to the Legislative Assembly, which she officially opened with a speech:

“Prince Philip and I are delighted to make this return visit to these beautiful islands. The Privy Council recently approved an amended constitution updating the 1972 constitution to take account of developments on the Islands …the financial sector remains a key to the successful future of these islands My Government is determined to maintain a financial services industry of high quality and integrity, through strict adherence to prudent policies augmented by the introduction of the new Mutual funds legislation . This year the public and private sectors will launch a major promotional programme to increase the awareness overseas of the high quality financial services and company and shipping resistration offered by these islands.” During her second visit Her Majesty also conferred a knighthood upon Sir Vassel Johnson.

Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip also visited Elmslie Memorial Church, where Prince Philip read a scripture from the Book of Romans about hope and Faith. The Queen opened the Queen Elizabeth ii Botanic Park, and heard about the beginning of the Blue Iguana Recovery programme, and met with Mr. Kirkland Nixon, one of the founders of the Park.

Burmon Scott has fond memories of being the official queen’s driver: “We only had a short conversations about the names of roads while driving through the district of West bay. She smiled and laughed about, Rev. Blackman road, and Hell road. Later they gave me a picture and signed it, at the Governor’s House just before departure,” he said.