Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

BVI holds gun salute for the Queen

Members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) held a gun salute honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth II at Queen Elizabeth Park earlier this afternoon.
Speaking at the brief ceremony, Governor John Rankin said for most of the people in the territory, the Queen has been a constant in their lives as she has served for 70 years.

“She lived through great change, times of joy, times of loss, of challenge and tribulation but she remained steadfast throughout through dignity, decency, grace, and dedication. Most of all her reigns were one of service to the people of the United Kingdom, her realms and overseas territories and the commonwealth…Throughout her life, Her Majesty visited well over 100 countries and territories. Touching the lives of millions around the world. That includes the people of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Rankin said.

“I know she touched the lives of people in these Virgins Islands, and I am grateful for the many tributes from those who remembered her visits so fondly. As I can testify when I was privileged to have an audience with Her Majesty, she was always knowledgeable, always interested and had a sense of fun. Today we join in the Queen Elizabeth Park to mourn the loss of the queen and to offer our thoughts and prayers to her family of which she was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” the Governor added.

He noted that he wrote a letter of condolence to King Charles III on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands hoping he would take comfort in knowing the Queen was deeply respected and held in warm affection by people here.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the Queen’s death was an end of an era and during that era, she had a great impact on people around the world and the Virgin Islands.

“I reflect on the impact on my very own mother, who was six years old when Her Majesty the Queen was coronated in 1952 and she recalls receiving a coronation cup. We might take it for granted today but the impact of having a young woman thrust into such a significant position as the head of the Commonwealth and Queen over the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. Back then it suddenly was revolutionary and inspiring to women around the world. And that is certainly something that is not lost on me,” Dr Wheatley said.

The Premier also reflected on the visits of the Queen in 1966 and 1977 and how the memories are still held in earnest by the people of the territory who remembered them.

“I reflect even more personally on the fact that my grandfather, then Chief Minister, Dr Willard Wheatley, hosted Her Majesty and Prince Philip, right here in the Virgin Islands, and the type of pride that my family had with the pictures the portraits that they took together that still is in a position of prominence in our familia and I can say to you, that certainly it is a privilege for me to travel with the governor to the United Kingdom, and to convey our collective condolence to the royal family, to the people of the United Kingdom. To all overseas territories and to the Commonwealth,” Dr Wheatley said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×