PRESS RELEASE

Grand Turk – on Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Turks and Caicos Islands held its annual Parade in honour of the Official Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III. Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and the Honourable Premier, Charles Washington Misick OBE joined members of Cabinet, the House of Assembly, the Judiciary, dignitaries, senior officials, residents and visitors to commemorate the good health and long reign of His Majesty The King.

The King’s Birthday Parade included various uniformed organisations, including members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), HM Prison Service, Turks and Caicos

Island Regiment, Border Force, the Ex-Servicemen Legion, the Cadet Corps, Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Rainbows and school children. As part of the celebrations, Coronation Medals and Long Service Awards were presented to qualifying members of our uniformed services.

Her Excellency the Governor’s Remarks:

Good morning, I wish a warm welcome to all of you here in the nation’s capital Grand Turk and to those watching on live stream, as we gather to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Official

Birthday.

This occasion is not just a day marked on our calendars but a celebration of enduring duty and unwavering dedication to public service.

His Majesty The King serves as a symbol of unity and strength. He is a strong advocate of the Overseas Territories and has championed numerous causes, fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility amongst us all. From environmental conservation efforts to initiatives that support the arts, education and healthcare, The King’s vision for a better society has inspired countless individuals to contribute to the common good. His dedication to these causes reminds us that true leadership is not about authority but about service and the impact of such leadership across generations.

Today, we celebrate not only His Majesty The King but also this spirit of unity and cooperation that defines our communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands; and acknowledge the collective efforts that have contributed to the prosperity and well-being of our nation.

In honouring The King’s Official Birthday, let us also reaffirm our own commitment to the principles of duty, service and compassion. The King’s example serves as a reminder that each of us has a role to play in building a brighter future – whether through acts of kindness, contributions to our communities, or conservation efforts to protect our environment.

I am delighted to see our youth – Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and school children participating proudly in this joyous celebration. His Majesty The King has long been a strong advocate for quality education and for young people to realise their unique talents. Through education and community engagement, we can make a difference in providing pathways that support our youth to maximise their potential, nurture their confidence and open them to opportunities that build a bright future.

So far during my time as your Governor, I have met a great number of inspirational people who are working with dedication to support our youth’s potential and strengthen their confidence for the benefit of our communities. Our Cadet and Sea Cadet Corps is a real demonstration of that vision. We can all be rightly proud of their commitment, discipline and ambition.

Today, in celebration of His Majesty’s Birthday Parade, we express our profound thanks and compliments to our uniformed services on parade today. I thank you wholeheartedly for your service to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Stand proud, we commend you. Each of you serve as an example of dedicated duty and dignified public service. Your fidelity and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. May you continue to serve with distinction.

Our sentinel Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force symbolises constancy and resolute commitment to safeguarding our well-being and security in the face of any challenge. Our TCI Regiment is a standard-bearer of national pride and duty in the development of our defence posture. Our Border Force is an illustration of enduring vigilance and our Islands’ growing institutional maturity. His Majesty’s Prison is a stoic example of determination of purpose, public safety and rehabilitation.

We have much to be proud of, but we will not fall victim to complacency nor hubris. Our strong foundation of community identity, of strength and resilience has carried our islands through many a challenge. Tackling the present challenge, of ensuring the safety of these precious islands, requires that strength of community to come forth. Now more than ever, a strong relationship between the police, partner agencies and our communities that they serve is of critical importance.

As we come together in celebration, let us also look forward with hope and determination. The challenges we face as a nation may seem complex, but there is also opportunity. Guided by our faith and inspired by the leadership of His Majesty, we can navigate these challenges with courage and grace. Together, we can build a future that fulfils the promise of our collective potential.

Let us raise our voices in gratitude and celebration. We wish His Majesty The King good health as he continues to lead with distinction and grace. May his reign continue to be marked by wisdom, compassion and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all who he serves. I wish His Majesty The King a prosperous and blessed Birthday; and for God’s continued blessings on our beautiful by nature Islands. I wish everyone a happy and memorable King’s Birthday Parade.

God save The King!