Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Feb 09, 2025

BVI’s anthem, protocols among changes in wake of Queen’s passing

BVI’s anthem, protocols among changes in wake of Queen’s passing

Inmates housed at the Balsam Ghut prison facility may be relieved in the coming weeks to learn that they will no longer have to be housed at Her Majesty‘s Prison.
But that relief may be short-lived when they learn that they will be housed at His Majesty‘s Prison at the same facility instead.

The change in title is just one of many that residents in several Overseas Territories and other countries in the British Commonwealth that may be affected will have to become accustomed to with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, September 8 and the subsequent accession to the throne of King Charles III.

The phrase ‘His Majesty’s Government’ of the Virgin Islands will now replace Her Majesty’s Government while terms such as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Her Majesty’s Customs, Treasury and Ship will also have to be changed.

Some government officials will now be serving at His Majesty’s pleasure instead of Her Majesty’s pleasure as has been the custom for decades.

Every-day activities and things such as the national anthem, money, passports and various other aspects of life in great Britain and beyond will now change as well, given that there is now a king in place.

With Britain’s national anthem switching to “God Save the King,” and male-version lyrics, many in the BVI may initially be left fumbling as those lyrics have not been sung for seventy years, since 1952.

And while the issue of currency does not directly affect the BVI given that the territory uses United States (US) notes for its currency, many nationals living in the BVI who are from nearby countries, such as those using the Eastern Carribean (EC) dollar, will be affected given the fact that this currency bears the late Queen’s image.

In the BVI, the wording on the inside cover for holders of British passports will also have to be updated, as they too are issued in the name of the Crown.

Queen’s Counsel to King’s Counsel

In law, senior lawyers will now change from being a QC (Queen’s Counsel) to a KC (King’s Counsel). A notice issued by the Bar Council upon the Queen’s passing, said this change was automatic and therefore was effective immediately.

In the meantime, the annual Speech from the Throne given by the Governor in the House of Assembly (HOA) will no longer be presented on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen but will instead be given on behalf of His Majesty the King.

Many of these changes will take some time to be implemented and several countries may have to revise various aspects of their legislation in order to do so as some elements are part of their constitution.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
British Health Secretary Andrew Gavin Fired Over Controversial Messages
Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
Trump Declares He Won't Deport Prince Harry, 'He's Already Dealing with Enough Issues with His Wife,' He Comments.
Macron's AI Vision Encounters Hindrance in the Global Technology Competition.
TikTok Sued Over Alleged Child Deaths Caused by 'Blackout Challenge'
Governments Prohibit DeepSeek AI Due to National Security Issues
Russian musician Vadim Stroykin passes away following an apparent fall during a police raid.
Zelensky Suggests Mineral Collaboration with Trump for Security Assistance
Naomi Campbell Claims Unawareness of Financial Irregularities at Fashion for Relief.
House Republican Introduces Bill Aimed at Limiting AI Exports to China
Trump Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Transgender Athletes from Competing in Women's Sports
Intense Pressure Builds for a Free Trade Agreement Between the UK and GCC in Light of Economic Difficulties
UAE Aids in the Transfer of 300 Prisoners Between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump Suggests U.S. 'Takeover' of Gaza, Sparking Global Worries
At least ten fatalities reported in Swedish school shooting, authorities confirm.
EU Reveals Significant Advances on Special Tribunal for Prosecuting Vladimir Putin
Trump Administration Preparing Executive Order to Abolish the Department of Education
Trump's Gaza Plan Provokes Global Debate
Spain Endorses Initiative to Cut Working Week to 37.5 Hours
Australia Prohibits DeepSeek AI on Government Devices Due to Security Issues
Trump Warns of Tariffs on EU Products, Labels Bloc an 'Atrocity' in Trade Matters
Zelenskyy Proposes Nuclear Arsenal if NATO Membership Lingers.
Zelenskyy Urges for 'Robust Security Assurances' from Russia to Conclude the Conflict in Ukraine
European Union Proposes Reforms to 1951 Refugee Convention
China's humanoid robots poised to transform everyday living and spiritual functions.
Changes in US tariffs on Chinese products could affect consumers more significantly than they do China.
How Innovations in China's Humanoid Robots Ignite Fierce Competition with the US
Germany Experiences 34% Decrease in Asylum Applications During Migration Discussion
Experts Challenge Conviction of UK Nurse Lucy Letby for Baby Killings
AfD Chief Alice Weidel Enhances Global Standing Through Meeting with Viktor Orban
Nigel Farage's Reform UK Party Leads Poll Amid Growing Public Demand for Change
Conor Murphy Steps Down as Northern Ireland Economy Minister to Join Irish Parliament
Over 1 Million Face Penalties After Missing HMRC Self-Assessment Tax Deadline
Scottish Government Denies Plans to Ban Cat Ownership Amid Controversy
Bridget Phillipson Urges Parents to Prioritize School Attendance Amid Rising Absence Rates
Keir Starmer Advocates for Stronger UK-EU Security Partnership in Brussels
Six English Councils Granted Permission to Raise Council Tax Bills Above Cap Amid Financial Struggles
Keir Starmer Faces Growing Backlash Over Potential Approval of Rosebank Oilfield
AI Consciousness Raises Ethical Concerns, Say Experts
Families Urge NHS England to Release Full Report on Nottingham Triple Homicide
NHS Initiates Largest AI Trial for Breast Cancer Detection
UK Tightens Regulations on Online Sales of Weight-Loss Injections
Gambling Ads Shown to Parents on Baby Monitor App, Raising Concerns
Ancient Irish Rainforests at Risk Due to the Growth of Monoculture Plantations
EU Leaders Deliberate on Defense Strategy Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
EU Leaders Convene Important Summit on Defense in Response to Rising Tensions
Trump Directs Establishment of U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund, Considers TikTok Purchase
Britain Considers U.S. Gas Imports in Response to Possible Trump Tariffs
French Prime Minister Bayrou Confronts Several No-Confidence Votes Regarding the 2025 Budget
Shutdown of USAID Headquarters in Light of U.S. Government Reduction Initiatives
×