ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 02nd, 2012 – Plans are officially in place to welcome His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Gloucester to the Virgin Islands from Monday, March 5 -9, 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty (HM) The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has asked members of the Royal Family to travel overseas to visit every realm as well as Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories on her behalf. The Diamond Jubilee represents sixty years of The Queen’s reign.
Over the four days, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin, will be visiting various venues and meeting people across the Territory to learn about the culture, life and history of the BVI. If you would like to see the Duke there will be plenty of opportunities.
Guard of Honour Ceremony (Parade) by Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, House of Assembly Courtyard
Tuesday, 6th March
10:40a.m.– 10:50 a.m.
Visit to BVI Watersports Centre for inspection, gift presentation and boat christening
Tuesday, 6th March
11:40 a.m. –12:50p.m.
Walk along Main Street (Old Prison to Commercial Court)
Tuesday, 6th March
2:55 p.m. – 3:50p.m.
Visit to Bregado Flax Educational Centre (Primary and Secondary Divisions) ceremony and presentation.
Wednesday, 7th March
10:45 a.m. – 12:10p.m.
Visit to A. O. Shirley Recreational Grounds for Olympic Ceremony and presentation of medals
Thursday, 8th March
8:55 a.m.– 9:45 a.m.
Walk along Cane Garden Bay from Green VI to Callwood Rum Distillery
Thursday, 8th March
10:15a.m. -11:45 a.m.
Opening Ceremony of Eight Annual Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival 2012
Friday, 9th March
3:05 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
HRH will also pay courtesy call of Premier and Minister for Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE; meet with students in schools and youth organisations; visit museums; meet with local artists and freelance photographers; learn how to knit the seine and blow the conch shell on Peter Island; sail across the sister islands; enjoy the various genres of local music; witness performances of the mocko jumbie and folk dance; meet with special needs community; visit the murals on Chapel Hill and Long Trench; meet with local authors, historians, archaeologists, Olympians, and basket weavers, just to name a few of the planned activities.
Many have been asking about the protocol guidelines in meeting HRH. Please be advised of the following:
1). One is always presented to HRH, never introduced. So one would say “Your Royal Highness, may I present Mr John Jones?”;
2). In speaking to HRH, one should addressed him as “Your Royal Highness” and subsequently in conversation as “Sir”;
3). It is not obligatory to bow and curtsey when presented to HRH, but many people like to do so. Gentlemen should make a small neck bow (just an exaggerated nod) and ladies a bob rather than a deep curtsey. If the ladies wish they may bow instead of curtsey.
4). In shaking hands, when HRH is meeting large numbers of people he may not shake hands with everyone, but is likely to do so if meeting a small group or an official line up. It will be very obvious if he intends to shake hands: guests should not proffer his.
The Duke’s visit officially marks the thirteenth Royal Visit this Territory has hosted since 1787.
1. The Diamond Jubilee takes place in 2012, marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign. The Queen came to the throne on 6th February 1952 (her Coronation took place on 2nd June 1953). For more information please go to the following website: www.thediamondjubilee.org.
2. HRH The Duke of Gloucester is the grandson of George V and a first cousin to The Queen. Further details can be found at http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheDukeofGloucester/TheDukeofGloucester.aspx.
3. The Diamond Jubilee central weekend is 2nd – 5th June 2012 and will include the following:
•
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla. This event is being organised by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation.
Sunday 3rd June, 2012
•
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon. The beacons project is being organised by Diamond Jubilee Beacons Ltd.
Monday 4th June, 2012
•
Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession: There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and a formal carriage Procession by The Queen.
Tuesday 5th June, 2012
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
British Virgin Islands News