Caribbean Women make history

Rashaed Esson

May 10, 2023 – Three Caribbean-born black women made history with their ceremonial roles during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla; this marks the second time these women are making historic accomplishments.

Valerie Ann Amos, British politician and diplomat from Guyana, who holds British nobility ranks, as entrusted by the King, joined Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury during the act of recognition at the start of the ceremony. Amos held The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove, a gold and silver rod decorated with the white dove of the Holy Ghost.

The priceless relic has encrusted rose diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and spinels.  According to experts, it is also known as “the Rod of Equity and Mercy,” as it represents the king’s spiritual role.

Carrying the title Baroness Amos of Brondesnbury, (Baroness is a female member of the House of Lords, equivalent in rank to Baron), she already made history when she invested in the Order of the Garter last year and when she became the first Black woman to serve in a British cabinet and as leader of the House of Lords from 2003 to 2007.

Additionally, Floella Benjamin, a Trinidadian-British politician and businesswoman, who also holds British nobility ranks, was given the responsibility, by the King, to carry The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross.

Also carrying the title of Baroness, Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, the chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, made history last year by becoming the first black actress to have a place as a peer in the House of Lords in 2010.

Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Jamaican-British Anglican prelate, serving as Suffragan Bishop of Dover in the Diocese of Canterbury, was tasked with carrying The Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove, a sceptre of an ivory rod and gold, also featuring the white dove of the Holy Ghost.

Wilkins already had historical achievements as the first Black woman to become a bishop in the Church of England in 2019.

There is some irony behind the history of the relics these women were tasked to hold, which dates back to slavery. They were supplied to the Royal Family by Robert Vyner, who was involved in, and benefitted from, the transatlantic slave trade, as a signatory of the Royal African Charter in 1672.