The Cayman Islands has joined millions around the world in mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday, at age 96.
Governor Martyn Roper, in a statement Thursday afternoon, said, “The death of our much loved, and longest serving monarch, will I know be terribly sad news for people across our three Islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, as well as across the entire world.”
Her Majesty The Queen, he said, served the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, Realms and Overseas Territories with “quiet dignity and powerful diplomacy for over 70 years”.
“She has been an inspirational role model and given outstanding service throughout our lives. She is the only Monarch that very many of us have ever known. Her loss will be keenly felt. She is unlike any other Monarch in history,” he said.
Speaking of his own personal experiences, Roper said he had the pleasure of meeting the Queen three times during his career, including at Windsor Castle on taking up his role as governor of the Cayman Islands.
“Her Majesty vividly recalled details of her visits here. Many of you will have your own personal recollections of Royal moments in your lives, whether it was watching her coronation, meeting her, or celebrating her visits to Cayman or elsewhere,” he said.
Roper said he knew from his four years as governor just how much affection and respect there was in Cayman for the Queen.
“Her two visits here in 1983 and 1994 are warmly remembered today by so many. We were able to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year with an extraordinarily wide variety of events across our three Islands reflecting the depth of feeling towards Her Majesty,” he added.
The Queen, Roper said, “was a symbol of stability and permanence for over seven decades. She exemplified outstanding public duty. I know the thoughts and prayers of all of us in the Cayman Islands are with members of the Royal Family at this difficult and sad time.”
He said there will be a 96-gun salute at Government House.
Government has announced that in commemoration of the life of Queen Elizabeth II, all flags will be flying at half-mast until further notice.
Premier Wayne Panton, in a statement Thursday, said, “we remember her fondly as we mourn her passing”.
“She left us with a legacy of reaching out to her subjects in the United Kingdom and abroad; being seen as a real person who ensured that the monarchy was able to quietly adapt to changes in society and keep a sharp focus on The Commonwealth. She was a defender of the faith and a stalwart wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,” Panton said.
“I think I can safely say that all of us in the Cayman Islands who feel strong ties to the British Crown mourn this sad occasion. We have lost a great lady.” – Premier Wayne Panton
Panton said as Cayman’s head of state, “our loyalty to the British Crown was strongest and most heartfelt under her reign. We remain loyal to the British Crown, but it has definitely lost one of its most precious jewels”.
He added, “Through her dedication and unwavering strength, she proved herself to be royalty in every respect. There will never be another like her.”
Cayman, he said, had the pleasure of her company when she visited twice.
“Both times she was gracious to the Caymanian people and those who met and interacted with her have cherished memories to share. Those who have gone on to their own heavenly reward often talked fondly of her kindness, warmth and love for the people of the Cayman Islands. I think I can safely say that all of us in the Cayman Islands who feel strong ties to the British Crown mourn this sad occasion. We have lost a great lady,” he said.
All Cayman government logos were changed to black and white following the announcement of the Queen’s death.
The Cayman Islands Protocol Office will issue more details on these and all other activities related to Her Majesty’s death.
Local leaders and the community at large paid tribute to the Queen, who only recently marked her Platinum Jubilee at the helm of the British Monarchy.
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, in a statement from Canada, said it was with “great sadness” the Opposition learned of the Queen’s death.
“The Queen will be remembered for her dignity, wisdom and compassion. Over the seventy years of her reign, she has been a constant reflection of all that makes Great Britain Great. Indeed, over those seventy years, she has seen much change across the world. Here at home, too, the Cayman Islands has seen tremendous growth and change during her reign,” he said.
Her Majesty, McTaggart said, granted Cayman its Coat of Arms in 1958, and the first written Constitution in 1959.
“We fondly recall her visits here in 1983 and 1994, and she will be remembered and beloved by Caymanians for many years. On behalf of the Opposition, the Entire Progressives family, and indeed the Caymanian people, I offer condolences to the family of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second, on her passing. I also offer condolences to the people of the United Kingdom. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
House Speaker McKeeva Bush has also written to UK Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle extending his condolences on the passing of the Queen.
“The Queen was the pivotal figure and exceptional leader with a sense of purpose. Her presence, affection and love was deep and widespread. She was dutiful and remained steadfast. We are saddened as representatives and parliamentarians. She will be etched unparalleled in the annals of history as she was inspirational to the world during the most difficult times. She served honorably and dignifiedly,” he said in his letter.
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders also issued a statement on the passing of Her Majesty saying that the Queen “exemplified dignity, duty, honour and service throughout her 70-year reign and her love for the Commonwealth and its people has been a constant throughout her decades on the throne”.
“For her grace and humility, HM The Queen has reserved a permanent place in the hearts of the Caymanian people. As a final tribute, the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s State funeral will be declared a public holiday in the Cayman Islands. For most of us, she is the only monarch we have ever known. Her likeness graces our currency and our postage stamps, while her smile beams down upon us from official portraits throughout our Government buildings and institutions,” Saunders added as he shared his tribute to the Queen.
A son, a new king takes charge
Prince Charles will take over the British monarchy, and will officially be known as King Charles III, it has been confirmed.
Buckingham Palace, in its brief statement, said, “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Details for the coronation of the new King is yet to be released.
No funeral arrangements have been made and will be expected to be communicated at a later date.
In a statement following the announcement, King Charles III said, “the death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.”
He acknowledged that “her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, in a statement given at Downing Street, said Queen Elizabeth II leaves a “great legacy”.
“Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III. With the King’s family we mourn the loss of his mother and come together. We offer him our loyalty and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much to us for so long,” she said.
This, she said, is “the passing of the second Elizabethan age”.
News broke early Thursday of the Queen’s ill health when Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement saying “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.”
The Queen was said then to be “comfortable” and was at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Throughout the day, as news of the Queen’s ill health spread, leaders from around the world joined in sending prayers to her.
On 6 Feb. 1952, 70 years ago, then Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II and beginning her seven decades of service to the UK, its territories and the Commonwealth.
World leaders react
Leaders from around the world, from presidents to premiers, issued their personal reflections on the passing of the British monarch.
US President Joe Biden, in a statement, said the Queen “was more than a monarch. She defined an era.”
“In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity,” he added.
Our statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/0n7pmVVg2w
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2022
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a short messages, said, “It was with great and profound sadness, that I learnt of the passing of Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, whose reign spanned seven decades”.
(1/2) It was with great and profound sadness, that I learnt of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest- reigning British monarch, whose reign spanned seven decades. pic.twitter.com/qFY48klrYi
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) September 8, 2022
Holness added that Jamaica joins with its “brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch”.
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