Bahamas News
Author Former Governor General Orville Turnquest Toiled 15 Years on the Historic, Revealing
Nassau, Bahamas, December 2, 2016 – With a foreword by Sir Sidney Poitier and praise from leading Bahamians, Sir Orville Turnquest’s new book What Manner of Man is This? The Duke of Windsor’s Years in The Bahamas, unsparingly examines the character of the man who abdicated the throne of England and was appointed Royal Governor of The Bahamas from 1940-1945, a post that he considered banishment rather than the honour it was.
Author Sir Orville Turnquest served as the fifth Governor General of an independent Bahamas from 1995-2001, uniquely qualifying him to address this historical subject. He began writing the history of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s years in The Bahamas when he left the governor’s mansion, Mount Fitzwilliam. Fifteen years later, the book What Matter of Man is This? The Duke of Windsor’s Years in The Bahamas, will hit book stores December 5. The book sheds new light on the reign of the Royal Governor and on the lives of Bahamians during the tumultuous backdrop of World War II.
Fifteen years after former Governor General Sir Orville Turnquest pledged to dedicate his literacy prowess and fascination with history to writing the story of the Duke of Windsor’s reign in The Bahamas, his much-anticipated work, What Manner of Man is This, The Duke of Windsor’s Years in The Bahamas, will hit local bookstores on December 5. The book, now available in hardcover and paperback, will also be sold through online retailers shortly after publication in paperback and e-Book editions.
An official launch will be held at Government House with a small group of family, friends from The Bahamas Historical Society, Historic Bahamas Foundation and media. Sir Orville, who served as Governor General from 1995-2001, will present the first copy of the book to the current Governor General Lady Marguerite Pindling with a brief ceremony celebrating the book’s worldwide publica
tion.
Although many books have been written about the royal couple, Sir Orville’s incisive book is the only one that focus exclusively on the Duke’s administration while Royal Governor of The Bahamas from 1940-1945 after he abdicated the throne as King of England in order to marry the twice-divorced Mrs. Wallis Simpson.
While the world reveled in what was portrayed as both one of the greatest love stories of all time and the scandal of the century, the reality for The Bahamas was that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor viewed his assignment as Royal Governor as severe punishment, banishment to a far-flung island country without any of the trappings of a royal life. Though they gave of themselves personally in times of crisis, they never truly warmed to the people of the island nation, nor did they reciprocate the warmth with which Bahamians showered them.
As World War II raged, disrupting lives globally including in The Bahamas, the Duke of Windsor was both symbolic of the superiority of royalty and symptomatic of the times. Turmoil surrounded his tenure in this island nation – the Burma Road Riots, the Bay Street Fire, The Project, The Contract and the still-unsolved murder of Sir Harry Oakes, the richest man in the world at the time.
The Duke’s friendship with a German industrialist who had taken refuge in The Bahamas during the war further aroused suspicion and, moreover, he never denied his affiliation and friendship with those who British allies would have considered their most bitter enemies. He also never entertained a black Bahamian at Mount Fitzwilliam (Government House), though black Bahamians were so excited to see the ‘romantic couple’ that they insisted on a ceremony at Clifford Park to welcome them to The Bahamas when only a private ceremony had been planned.
Diane Gedymin, publisher of Grant’s Town Press, states that, “This incisive book reveals the Duke and Duchess as racially biased, unwilling to disturb the status quo, and who fell far short of making a positive impact during his tenure.”
In the foreword, Sir Sidney Poitier calls the book “an unvarnished fresh look” at a crucial period in Bahamian history. He points out that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s time in The Bahamas was not unlike apartheid, and notes that although the term was never used, the foundation was there – economic and political rule by a white oligarchy.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham called the work “insightful, informative.” Turnquest, he said, “has produced an easy, readable history of the period, well-informed by his own personal experience as a young black, who overcame the absence of the opportunities gifted to the Duke of Windsor to become the Duke’s successor in the office of governor general of an independent Bahamas.” Other praise came from Tribune publisher Eileen Carron, two former Governors General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Dame Ivy Dumont and from Lyford Cay resident Harry Oakes.
The book will be available at all major book stores in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island and Abaco as well as the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and The Linen Shop on Bay Street, Nassau. The hardcover edition will be available at $35 and paperback for $25.20 and the eBook on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, iBooks and other eBook retailers worldwide. Publisher is Grant’s Town Press (www.grantstownpress.com).
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
-
News1 week agoFacts According to the Turks & Caicos Premier About His Constitutional Amendments
-
News1 week ago80 DAYS. $80 MILLION. – PDM Demands Answers from Government
-
News1 week ago“The Contract is The Problem, Not The Hospitals”
-
News1 week ago
Premier Lays Out Cost of Hospital Dispute
-
News6 days agoPAY FIRST. QUESTION LATER.
-
Education1 week agoDr. Candice Williams Appointed First Vice-President of Regional Higher Education Association
-
Health3 days ago47,459 MEASLES CASES, 44 DEATHS ACROSS AMERICAS
-
News3 days agoELECTRICITY BILL SHOCKER: PELICAN ENERGY WARNED GOV’T