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.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
