Royal Couple Visits

Saturday marked a very prestigious and historic occasion for St.Kitts and Nevis when the Royal Couple, Earl and Countess of Wessex, was officially welcomed to the federation.

During the welcoming ceremony at Port Zante’s Arrival area, a wide cross section of the community turned up to witness the rare occasion including Governor General His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Prime Minister The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas along with other Ministers of Government and the Nevis Island Administration, members of opposition, primary and secondary school students as well as cruise ship passengers.

The ceremony began with a musical procession by the Defence Force Band, a contingent from the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force and Defence Force.

The Prince and his wife were welcomed to the Port Zante arrival area to applause and waves from the crowd. He then met and greeted the gathering, after which, the Royal Couple were escorted to inspect the Guard of Honor.

An interesting side note, Commissioner of Police CG Walwyn escorted the Prince, the same honor his father, the late Inspector of Police, Zephaniah Joseph had back in the day when Prince Phillip visited the island.

After the brief ceremony the procession headed to the Kim Collins Highway for the renaming of the 550 acre St Kitts National Capitol Park, where they unveiled the plaque bearing the new name, the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park and planted a commemorative tree.

From there, the Royal Couple toured the Brimstone Hill Fortresss National Park and visited the Paediatric Ward of the JN France General Hospital, as well as the Children’s Home where they were presented with little tokens. The couple then made their way to Government House for a tour.

A State dinner and fireworks at Port Zante, concluded the day’s events.

The last time Royals visited our shores was in 1984 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Second visited on the occasion of the official opening of The Brimstone Hill National Park.