ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, April 26th 2011 - Mr. and Mrs. O’Neal, who depart today Tuesday April 26, 2011 for London, will be among other world high powered guests and many celebrities, of Kings and Queens, Heads of States, Presidents and Prime Ministers, as well as, sport and movie stars.
It is the most talked about event this week, that is, the wedding of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Prince William who will wed Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey, London.
Prince William is the second in line to the UK’s throne. It must be a testament to the respect that the UK’s government has for the VI stalwart Premier, as many of the region’s Prime Ministers and Presidents were not invited to this prestigious event.
However, the VI’s first Premier Hon. O’Neal who is also the longest serving democratically elected head of government in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) made the list even over two former UK Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who were not invited.
In an exclusive interview with VINO yesterday Monday April 25, 2011, Premier O’Neal said, “It’s an honour…it’s the first time I believe any official (from overseas territory) has been invited to a royal wedding.”
When asked how such an invitation would reflect positively for the Territory he said, “The country becomes known. For example one lady was telling me she was on the internet and she saw my name on the list as one of the invitees.”
Who’s on the list?
The VI Premier and Mrs. O’Neal will rub shoulders with other guests including Queen Elizabeth the Second (the official host), the Prince and Princess of the Asturias, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, the Sultan of Brunei and the Queen of Denmark.
Other Royalties at the wedding will also include, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Constantine of Greece, Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait and the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg.
The Virgin Islands’ O’Neals will also be among the Prime Minister of Australia and Tim Mathieson, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Delores Miller, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and Mrs. John Key, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Lady Somare, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and Mrs. Rosalia Nestor King and of course the UK’s Prime Minister and Mrs. David Cameron.
The list also includes the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, the Governor-General of Belize and Lady Young, the Governor-General of Canada and Mrs. David Jonhnston and the Governor-General of Jamaica. The list also has UK senior religious leaders and many from the entertainment sector including Sir Elton John and sport icon David and Victoria Beckham.
Local celebrations
On the wedding eve, Government House will host a Royal Ball and Auction. Dance to the dynamic sounds of the Blue Essence band where you can win a prize for the best ballroom dance. The event will also benefit the Toastmasters Conference in May.
Tickets are a mere $75 and can be obtained from the Governor’s office or by calling Mr. Frett at 468-9757.
TICO is running a competition named, ‘may the best host win’ where you post your best party photo on their Facebook page.
The wedding will be aired live on BBC and CNN from 4 a.m. Friday morning and it is expected to be watched by billions around the globe. VINO will also bring coverage of this event.
Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online
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British Virgin Islands News