Connect with us

Caribbean News

Earl of Wessex returning to TCI, Official Royal trip with his wife Countess Sophie this Month

Published

on

By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, February 11, 2023 – In mere days, members of the Royal Family will arrive in The Turks and Caicos islands for the first time since the turn of the millennium.

Magnetic Media learned of arrival of the prestigious guests via a police bulletin in circulation early Friday; it has since been confirmed by Governor Nigel Dakin.  The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will land in The Turks and Caicos on February 22nd for a two- day visit.

The Earl is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and brother to King Charles III.  Like the Queen in 1966 before them, Grand Turk will be their first stop, where they will meet the residents and elected representatives at a reception hosted by Governor Nigel Dakin at Waterloo.

“Here, as well as Government leaders, they will be introduced to some of our remarkable people; everyday heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty in the course of their daily lives,” Dakin said.

After that Providenciales will host the Royals where they will be briefed on the country’s border security, crime and immigration issues first hand as well as meet the people and witness  ‘our extraordinary natural habitat including mangroves, unique Iguanas and the third largest Barrier Reef in the world’; witness the competitiveness of our school children; meet our sporting heroes and those working to mentor and empower our young,’ the Governor explained.

Royal Visits are a major undertaking for any country; Turks and Caicos has played host at least seven times ‘officially’ over the years, stretching as far back as the early 1900s as chronicled by the Turks and Caicos National Museum.

There was a 1928 visit by Prince George; the first Royal to travel to Turks and Caicos in an ‘unofficial’ stop aboard the HMS Durban on what was a humanitarian mission.  In 1960, the first official Royal visit was by the Princess Royal, Princess Mary which happened in March that year on the island of Grand Turk.

In 1966, the most legendary Royal Visit to the TCI included the Queen and her husband and gave life to the now iconic South Caicos Regatta as the Royal Yacht Britannia sailed with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip aboard, greeted in the country’s ‘fishing capital’ by an island sloop flotilla.  A regatta was held, awards were bestowed to Islanders and tours in Grand Turk with particular emphasis on the military prowess and role of TCI in the Space Race made the Royal moment particularly distinct.

By 1973, the then Prince Charles would officially drop in, playing two cricket matches.  Turks and Caicos players soundly beat the UK marines, but the Prince would go down as having made 12 runs in a losing effort against South Caicos.  Twenty years on, in 1993 Prince Philip, his father and the Duke of Edinburgh  would repeat in a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands seeing artifacts of the Molasses Reef Wreck.

History records that the late Duke is the Royal with the most visits to the archipelago.  Prince Philip came again in 1977, passing through at the Grand Turk airport and on the 10th October 1980 when he returned as a co-pilot of an RAF Viscount aircraft, which refuelled at Grand Turk airport during its flight from Venezuela to Nassau.

Prince Andrew visited Turks and Caicos in 2000, and was the last Royal to officially make a stop in the territory.   It was a three-day stay in March, where he dropped in at Clement Howell High, the Conch Farm, Cheshire Hall Plantation, Beaches Resort and enjoyed a display by the children of Grand Turk.

It is interesting to note that for Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, this will not be his first time in the Turks and Caicos.  It is on record that he enjoyed the world-famous beauty of the islands some 22 years, visiting unofficially in 2001 and staying at the award-winning Parrot Cay.

Now, here in a Royal and Official capacity it is expected that a modern day Turks and Caicos will roll out a range of amazing cultural and scenic opportunities for the pair, giving the world a very public and unique look at the breath-taking wonders and natural beauties of the islands and islanders.

The Office of the Premier will prepare for several invited guests “representing different aspects of the islands’ commercial and civic life” who “will meet the Royals along with Premier Washington Misick and first lady Delthia Misick in a lunch he will host.”

The Governor expressed that he has very specific ambitions for the upcoming Royal visit.

“Our hope is that their Royal Highnesses leave these Islands both better informed but also intrigued by the natural beauty, vibrant society, the challenges and ambitious opportunities, these Islands represent.”

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

Published

on

Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

Published

on

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING