A message from The King to mark The Bahamas' 50th anniversary of independence

Published

From Andros to San Salvador, Eleuthera to Inagua, Grand Bahama to Nassau and across the beautiful family islands of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, my wife and I send you all our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations at this very special time.

The Bahamas has always held a special place in my affections. I remember with great fondness my visit in July 1973, when serving in the Royal Navy in H.M.S. Minerva, to attend the Independence Day celebrations: the police band first playing March On Bahamaland; the first moment the flag of black, aquamarine and gold was raised; and no fewer than three Independence Balls when I danced at the first one with the wife of the then Prime Minister – now, of course, Dame Marguerite Pindling.

The people of The Bahamas have always given such a warm welcome to my family and myself, and I know that my mother, The late Queen, and my late father retained equally happy memories of their five visits to The Bahamas between 1966 and 1994. I am also most grateful for how you all welcomed my elder son and daughter-in-law, The Prince and Princess of Wales, last year and how the many young participants of the Governor General’s Youth Award welcomed my brother and sister-in-law, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, this Spring. It is thus perhaps no surprise that, for my family and myself, The Bahamas has always felt like a home away from home, both in public and in private.

Much has happened since my last visit. Most recently, I know the unchecked crisis of global warming and climate change continues to ravage these islands. Members of my family have related to me their discussions with the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco, and I have heard of your resilience and compassion for one another following hurricane Dorian, as well as how international organisations, including the Royal Navy, responded so swiftly. Throughout the last fifty years, there are so many stories to celebrate; of Bahamian leadership on the global stage; of sports-stars, playwrights, Olympians, chefs, authors, business leaders, film stars, musicians, artists, inventors and designers. You can all be enormously proud of what has been achieved. And, of special importance to me, throughout the past fifty years The Bahamas has been an indispensable member of our Commonwealth family.

I felt it of great importance that my family play a part in your anniversary year and that is why I hope to be able to celebrate with you as soon as possible, and to meet some of the many Bahamians who are already shaping the next fifty years, such as Christina Fernander – the first female chairperson of a winning Junkanoo group – young sailors such as Craig Ferguson aspiring to the Olympic legacy of Durward Knowles, pioneering climate scientists such as Alannah Vellacott, Marjahn Finlayson and Charles Hamilton and, of course, Dame Marguerite, who I hope will save her next dance for me!

From Andros to San Salvador, Eleuthera to Inagua, Grand Bahama to Nassau and across the beautiful family islands of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, my wife and I send you all our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations at this very special time.

“Forward, Upward, Onward, Together”. Happy fiftieth anniversary of independence. March On Bahamaland!

Related content

Press release 07 February 2025

The King and Queen will visit the Holy See and Italy

Read more

A speech by His Majesty The King to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

As the number of Holocaust Survivors regrettably diminishes with the passage of time, the responsibility of remembrance rests far heavier on our shoulders, and on those of...

27 January 2025
News

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

27 January 2025
The King with Jewish leaders

A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.

It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...

13 January 2025

A message of condolence from The King following the South Korean plane crash

My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life. As the people of the Republic of Korea...

29 December 2024

A message of condolence from The King to the people of Vanuatu, following the recent earthquake.

I am aware, from my visit to Vanuatu and Port Vila in 2018, of the extraordinary spirit of ni-Vanuatu, which has been called upon too often in recent years with repeated...

21 December 2024
Press release 16 December 2024

The King's Gold Medal for Poetry 2024

Read more

A message read by The Duchess of Edinburgh, on behalf of The King, marking the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Bombings

Today we remember the twenty-one people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously. We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to...

21 November 2024

A speech by The King at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon

It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and...

15 November 2024
Press release 13 November 2024

Bishop of Norwich appointed Lord High Almoner

Read more

A message from The King to King Felipe VI of Spain regarding the ongoing floods in Valencia.

Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.

02 November 2024

His Majesty's remarks at the CHOGM dinner in Samoa

It remains a life-long aspiration to have visited all the countries of the Commonwealth

25 October 2024

His Majesty’s speech to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Samoa

Together, we can expand opportunities across this family of nations to build shared prosperity and truly resilient economies.

25 October 2024

His Majesty’s remarks at the Community BBQ, Parramatta Park

It is no wonder, I think, that Sydney is world famous for its cuisine, whether it’s smashed avo, a pav, or a Cab Sav and that is what I hope has been on display!

22 October 2024

His Majesty The King’s remarks to NSW Parliament House

I am delighted – and proud – to be able to return to the Parliament of New South Wales in order to celebrate the occasion of your bicentenary.

20 October 2024
Press release 11 October 2024

State Visit by the Amir of the State of Qatar

Read more

The King's speech marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament

We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland.

28 September 2024

The King's message to mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden

We will never forget the heroism and sacrifice made by so many in the pursuit of peace and liberation.

21 September 2024

A message from The King regarding the ongoing floods in Central Europe.

"My wife and I are profoundly shocked and saddened to see the destruction and devastation caused by the catastrophic flooding in Central Europe. Many people in the United...

19 September 2024
Press release 10 September 2024

The King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa

Read more

A message from His Majesty The King congratulating ParalympicsGB and teams across the entire Commonwealth on their successes at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

As this wonderful summer of sport comes to a close in Paris, my wife joins me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to the Paralympian athletes from Great Britain and...

08 September 2024

A message of condolence from The King to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, following the death of Kiingi Tuheitia.

"My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed...

29 August 2024
News

The King visits Southport

20 August 2024
The King views floral tributes in Southport
News

The Royal Family and Sport

28 August 2024
The King meets the West Indies Cricket Team

A message from His Majesty The King congratulating Team GB and teams across the entire Commonwealth on their successes at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Your achievements, across so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many years, burnished these past weeks...

11 August 2024