Cayman legislators joined with millions around the world on Sunday in celebration of the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, making her the first British monarch to achieve the milestone.
Describing the occasion as “a monumental and historic occasion,” House Speaker McKeeva Bush commenced a special sitting of the Parliament in honour the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension.
A number of public events were held to mark the platinum jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II, then 25, ascended the throne on 6 Feb. 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI, who passed away from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep at the age of 56.
The British Monarchy, celebrating Accession Day, released a series of photos of the Queen through the years and new portraits.
Prior to the start of Sunday’s session, an all women RCIPS honour guard – a first for Cayman – marched outside the House in a nod to the female empowerment Queen Elizabeth II inspired through her 70-year reign.
At 12.15pm, many around the country stood silent for 70 seconds to commemorate the Queen’s milestone.
Churches also marked the occasion, ringing church bells and standing in silence at the same time.
Bush and Premier Wayne Panton saluted separately before the honour guard, before entering Parliament to commence the Sunday afternoon sitting.
Inside, Cayman’s legislators gathered to mark the occasion, awaiting the arrival of Governor Martyn Roper.
Queen’s leadership praised
In his speech, Bush lauded the Queen, whom he described as a “hallmark of stability”.
“We revere the Queen for her dedicated commitment to enhancing the lives of many in the diaspora,” he said, adding that during her reign, the Queen “never capitulated nor undermined the sovereignty of jurisdictions”.
Bush recounted his interactions with the Queen during her two visits, and on his own visits to the UK.
Roper read the proclamation of the Queen’s platinum jubilee after inspecting the honour guard and saluting.
In his speech, Roper said he was pleased to see Cayman’s respect and admiration for the Queen.
At the beginning her now seven decades of service to the UK, its territories and the Commonwealth, Roper said she remains a “much loved and respected figure”.
“She is truly an inspiration to all of us,” he said, adding that the Queen has always been composed and resolute “no matter what has come her way over the last 70 years”.
She saw 14 prime ministers in her reign, he said, including Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, met 13 US presidents, the most recent being Joe Biden, and had 260 official visits.
Premier Panton, in his contribution, also shared his admiration for the Queen, whom he said has demonstrated “rare humility, faithfulness and grace”.
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Pointing out that she has navigated a world dominated by males, Panton said the Queen has always shown “unwavering dedication for her subjects.”
He recalled the Queen’s strength and leadership over the COVID-19 pandemic as she provided “comfort” for millions in the darkest days at the start of the spread of the virus and during multiple lockdowns.
He invited the country to consider the Queen’s passion for the environment and commitment to sustainability, which “is reflected in her platinum jubilee Queen green canopy initiative”.
Under this initiative to have trees planted in her honor, Panton said Cayman is challenging itself to plant 70 trees in the 19 constituencies, include trees that are indigenous to Cayman and those linked to local tradition.
Lawmakers paid their respective tributes to the Queen and her selfless service.
In his speech, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart recounted the Queen’s “genuine warmth and friendliness” when he was able to attend a luncheon on her second visit to the Cayman Islands.
He said the celebrations now being held reaffirm Cayman’s own commitment and future service to the crown.
“Ours is a bond that time nor distance can diminish,” he said.
For Health Minister Sabrina Turner, the Queen’s reign has been a beacon for women throughout the years.
She recalled joining with Cayman’s children to welcome the Queen on her first visit.
Turner said, to her, the Queen “demonstrated to women everywhere that it is indeed possible to be a wife, a mother and an exceptional leader at a far less progressive time than today. I was inspired by her then and inspired by her now.”
“I can only hope that our young women look at Her Majesty’s legacy should they ever feel limited by their gender,” she added.
Turner also reminded that the UK relationship has proved especially invaluable through the pandemic with the provision of supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to protect the population.
That was a point both Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan and Parliamentary Secretary Isaac Rankine paid tribute to.
Both men also paid tribute to the Governor, the Queen’s representative here, for his love for Cayman and Caymanians.
In his contribution, Red Bay MP and former Premier Alden McLaughlin described the Queen as a “truly remarkable woman”.
He said, in his estimation the Queen was on par with Nelson Mandela in her “sense of duty, sense of responsibility, honour and the desire, the lifelong dedication, not just to make their countries but the world a better place”.
He said the Queen holds an unelected office as the monarchy is the consent of the people, “but yet she welds incredible soft power”.
A word or an indication from the Queen, he said, bears weight in the global world of politics “without question”.
“She does so a mere 5ft 4 inches in height, but a giant in stature, she does so because of the respect which she has garnered over 70 years of self service, duty and honour,” he added.
The legislators also noted the many losses the Queen endured during her reign, including the passing of her consort last year, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders said, though he was not a supporter of the monarch system, he was moved to pay honour to the Queen for her 70 years of public service.
He reminded that she mourns the loss of her father on 6 Feb., since she became Queen through his passing.
The House was adjourned following the sitting.
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