It is with profound sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen on the afternoon of 8 September at Balmoral. 

The death of our much loved, and longest serving monarch, will I know be terribly sad news for people across our three Islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, as well as across the entire world. Her Majesty The Queen served the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, Realms and Overseas Territories with quiet dignity and powerful diplomacy for over 70 years. She has been an inspirational role model and given outstanding service throughout our lives. She is the only Monarch that very many of us have ever known. Her loss will be keenly felt.  She is unlike any other Monarch in history.

I know from my four years as your Governor just how much affection and respect there is for Her Majesty on our Islands. Her two visits here in 1983 and 1994 are warmly remembered today by so many. We were able to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year with an extraordinarily wide variety of events across our three Islands reflecting the depth of feeling towards Her Majesty.  I had the pleasure of meeting Her Majesty three times during my career, including at Windsor Castle on taking up my role as Governor of the Cayman Islands. Her Majesty vividly recalled details of her visits here.  Many of you will have your own personal recollections of Royal moments in your lives, whether it was watching her coronation, meeting her, or celebrating her visits to Cayman or elsewhere. 

The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.

Her Majesty was a symbol of stability and permanence for over seven decades. She exemplified outstanding public duty. I know the thoughts and prayers of all of us in the Cayman Islands are with members of the Royal Family at this difficult and sad time. 

END

FOOTNOTE:

As a mark of respect all flags will be half flown at half-mast and there will be a 96 gun salute at Government House. The Cayman Islands Protocol Office will issue more details on these and all other activities related to Her Majesty’s death.