Organizing Committee for Royal visit anticipates unprecedented public involvement

Beating of the Retreat Ceremony

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 09, 2012 (SKNIS): The Organizing Committee for events to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee is pleased with the progress being made in preparation for the next scheduled activity: The visit of Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Spokesperson, Mr. Raphael Archibald said the Committee which met on Wednesday February 8, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian reviewed the Beating of the Retreat Ceremony on Monday February 6 to mark the actual 60th Anniversary date.

Remarking on the well supported event, Mr. Archibald told SKNIS committee members were looking for “more of the same” with a few minor adjustments to ensure the flawless execution of the activities to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He added that the attendance and show of appreciation from the audience revealed “a certain nostalgia for military showmanship and parades, reminiscent of Her Majesty’s Birthday celebrations and military exhibitions of the past.”

Deputy Police Commissioner, Stafford Liburd speaking on behalf of the law enforcement agencies which participated in the Beating of the Retreat military exhibition, affirmed that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St Kitts Nevis Defense Force were pleased to display the “infrequently seen” side of law enforcement. He added that while skill training and smartness in attire are key components of military training, they are seldom displayed in the day-to-day experience of law-enforcement.

Committee Spokesperson, Mr. Archibald revealed further that plans for the Royal Visit, is one of the local highlights of the commemoration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. Plans also feature several other activities including the renaming of the Basseterre Valley Aquifer area.

Also on the agenda are a ceremony and luncheon at the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park and a State Dinner. The route of the procession to the venues associated with the Royal visit will be distributed shortly for public knowledge and participation.

Other upcoming events to mark the National observance of the Diamond Jubilee include; a week of volunteerism in March; re-enactments of the marriage of Lord Nelson and Fannie Nisbett in Nevis as well as the Battle of Brimstone Hill between the British and French in 1782; a six-mile Jubilee walk in May and the official ceremony and Ecumenical Service in June.