News
Snubbed? No OTs make the Royal’s Caribbean Tour
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2022 – Turks and Caicos Islanders who cared to have them as guests were not pleased having to watch the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge jaunt over and around their islands in a Caribbean Tour which excluded all of the British overseas territories.
The Turks and Caicos Islands has not had a Royal Visit for 22 years, according to the catalogue of the Turks and Caicos National Museum and some residents have taken note.
“It’s disgraceful, they’re always in Bermuda, always in Jamaica, always in Trinidad and Tobago, always in The Bahamas and always in Cayman Islands and Bermuda; never Turks and Caicos? You fly over Turks and Caicos to leave Jamaica to go to The Bahamas. You fly over Turks and Caicos from the UK, heading to Jamaica and you can’t stop into Turks and Caicos, really?”
The businessman speaking to us in a WhatsApp message was not the only one. It seemed to have been trending on social media, this thought that the Turks and Caicos was again being overlooked; snubbed by its own Royal Family.
“TCI and Cayman are still British territories and they’re not on the list? Does anyone see the irony in this,” penned another anonymously.
The Caribbean Tour of Prince William and Princess Kate included a first stop in Belize, where some plans had to be shelved due to robust protests against the visit of the couple.
The next country in the three-nation tour was Jamaica where the Prince was compelled to respond to protestors who demanded an apology for the side effects of slavery and colonialism and demanded reparations.
The finale was a three-island visit to The Bahamas, where hurricane-torn Abaco and Grand Bahama historically received the Duke and Duchess, designing for them a string of activities which were both somber and sweet.
Widely shared images of the duo dancing with villagers and crafting chocolate in Belize or their military, cultural and glamourous mingling with the people of Jamaica and the regatta sailing, school visit, junkanoo parade, coral reef lesson and conch salad tasting in The Bahamas were like a slap in the face.
“In all the hype, Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory and we are citizens and BOTCs and these (word redacted) wouldn’t even bat an eyelash to say let me see what’s happening. But they can go to Jamaica, Bahamas, these are Commonwealth members, but we are still under the monarchy, whether we like it or not and I call this a real disdain for and a real disrespect and sorely inconsiderate by the Royals in general,” said another entrepreneur,
who works in the hospitality industry.
The last official Royal visit, according to the National Museum, was in 2000 when Prince Andrew, Duke of York who came in and spent three days. He visited Grand Turk and flew into Provo where he spent time at Clement Howell High school, the Cheshire Hall Plantation and Beaches Resort.
However, it is the late Prince Phillip Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99-years old on April 9, 2021 has visited Turks and Caicos most of any Royal.
Four times, beginning in 1966; his last trip logged as March 20, 1993.
“I was here when Prince Phillip came. God rest his soul, a jovial man. The children came out to see him, he stopped, walked and talked… he even spoke to me as a chaperone, though he did not have any children with him…
I mean BVI there, Cayman there, Bermuda there, Anguilla there and us (Turks and Caicos) and we don’t even get mentioned in their travels? I don’t understand it.
They travelled around us, over us, between us like we don’t even exist.”
The Caribbean Tour of the Duke and Duchess is completed now. It was designed to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and yes it did not include Bermuda, Cayman, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat or the Turks and Caicos Islands; all Caribbean located British territories.
There remained no explanation as to why the six Caribbean territories were left off the list, though some journalists have surmised the whirlwind visit was to reaffirm the monarchy amongst nations which may want to take the path of Barbados and remove the Queen as Head of State.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, certainly stated clearly that Jamaica is ready to ‘move on’.
The TCI is however, not in that class having opted to remain a British territory with some strides toward greater self-determination.
The Turks and Caicos Islands would have certainly been on brilliant display, with a lot to show and much to tell. It is home to Grace Bay Beach, the World’s #1; In the past decade Providenciales has climbed to the travel ranking of World’s #1 Island and the country’s brushes with destructive hurricanes which were fueled by climate change, not to mention UK funded environmental and ecological projects which are working to preserve endemic habitats and species, are all ideal reasons to “come see about us.”
In a 2019 Town&Country article: ‘Here’s what it really takes to plan a Royal Tour’ it was explained: “Royal tours can take up to a year to plan, and are either instigated by the U.K. government, or by an invitation from the host country. The itinerary is put together based on whatever matters of national importance the host government would like to draw attention to, while also incorporating some of the visiting royal’s personal interests.”
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.
“Sometimes I look at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like there would be a red flashing light that tells you that
there’s something wrong with a car and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the same thing. It gives you warning signs to look into that symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak said self-checks are going to be a little different for everyone.
However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such as unexplained weight loss, blood in your urine, bumps and bruises that won’t heal, and changes in bowel habits.
For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could be a sign of something more serious.
He also suggests doing regular skin checks and documenting any moles or spots that start to look different.
“Realize that you are your own person. There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you. You’ve got your own set of ideas, your own family history and your own genetics. Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing that we would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak notes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with.
Press Release: Cleveland Clinic
