“Three Cheers for the Queen!” - Jubilee and Birthday Celebrations at Government House

By Christopher Tobutt

On Monday 6 June there was a huge official celebration all around Government House to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 96th Birthday Celebrations, as well as celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, or 70 years on the throne. She became the longest reigning Monarch in British History on September 9, 2015, surpassing the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, and during her reign she has made 150 visits to the commonwealth alone, including several to the Cayman Islands, first in 1983 and again in 1994.

Brass buttons gleamed on Bright red and Royal Blue uniforms as contingents from all of the uniformed services got ready for the official march-past, and then the official inspection by His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper, OBE. There was also the symbolic arrival of Her Majesty the Queen, and a Royal Salute, received by the Governor.

The RCIPS played the first verse of the National Anthem, and then there was a special 21-gun salute for the Queen’s Birthday, followed by ‘Three Cheers for the Queen,’ during which all the uniformed contingents took off their Caps to honor the Queen.

Then it was time for Cayman’s very own Queen of Song, Mrs. Karen Edie-Turner, to sing the National Song, Beloved Isle Cayman, before Pastor Felix Manzanares of Journey Church said a prayer for Her Majesty, thanking God for hear steadfastness and faithfulness in her duties as Monarch, and he prayed that God would continue to bless her with happiness and good health. He also prayed for wisdom and guidance for all of her ministers of government here in the Cayman Islands.

Governor Martyn Roper presented Honours & Awards which were announced by Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson MBE. Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) was presented to Lucille Dell Seymour, BEM, JP for services to Sport, Education and the People of the Cayman Islands, and also to Sharon Karen Smith for services to the former Legislative Assembly. To be an Honorary Member (MBE) was presented to Angela Marie Tanzillo – Swarts for services to the Covid response in the Cayman Islands, and in particular, “Outstanding contribution to our capacity and ability to carry out wide-scale testing.”

Next, The British Empire Medal (BEM) was presented to Natalie Claire Coleman-Urquart for services to Arts and Culture in the Cayman Islands and wider region and also to be an Honorary Member (BEM) was presented to Frank Christopher Volinsky for services to the Cayman Islands through the Bridge Foundation. Awardees of the Cayman Islands Certificate & Badge of Honor went to Kim Ann Bullings, Lula Suzette Ebanks, and Bianca Katrina Moore for services rendered during the Covid pandemic. On Cayman Brac, awardees of the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honor included Raistone Dilbert, Kedine Hyde, and Suzette Young-Watson for services rendered during the Covid pandemic, as well as Bentley Tibbetts Jr. for services rendered to the Cayman Islands Government. It was also announced that Chief Justice Anthony Smellie QC is to receive a Knighthood for services to Law and Justice, and Cindy Scotland is to receive an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the Financial Services Industry.  

After the final march-past, the formal ceremony ended and it was time to file into the Governor’s lovely garden for his Garden-party in honor of the Queen. There, people from different walks of life were able to greet each other and enjoy some splendid fellowship and friendship over a glass of wine or a fruit punch, and some very nice food.  The Governor made a speech, wishing Her Majesty The Queen well. “Her Platinum Jubilee, and she has served the United Kingdom, the overseas territories, and the Commonwealth selflessly, and with quiet dignity for 70 years, and I am personally in awe of her unstinting hard work and service to us all,” he said. I think you’ll all join me in saying, “Thank you Ma’am, and a very happy jubilee.”