31 naturalised citizens of the British Virgin Islands received their British citizenship following a recent ceremony that was held at the governor’s residence in Road Town.
This was the second cohort of persons to receive British citizenship for the year and the first under the new monarchy of His Majesty King Charles III.
Speaking during the ceremony Governor His Excellency John Rankin welcomed the new British citizens.
“A total of 31 one of you who have made your home here in the Virgin Islands, have taken this significant step. Many of you will already have been to a similar ceremony when you were presented certificates of naturalisation as British Overseas Territories citizens, but you’re now going one step further. And shortly You will be taking the oath of allegiance to his majesty the king and your pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. And this is a formal promise as you embrace your new nationality and consider the opportunities it offers”, he stated.
Governor Rankin also said that it was important that the newly registered British citizens be acknowledged for this milestone in a formal manner.
He said, “By obtaining British citizenship you’ve exercised a right you enjoyed as British Overseas Territories citizens. But although it’s a right it’s an important decision you’ve taken and it is proper that the fulfillment of it should be marked in a formal way which is what we’re doing today. And that’s important not just as a matter of ceremony. It’s also a matter to which ministers in the United Kingdom government, the government in Britain, attach real importance.”
The governor also spoke about the common traits of the Virgin Islands which connect its people to the United Kingdom.
“British Law requires those who acquire British nationality in this way, must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom but also a knowledge of its history, its institutions and its language. And of course, all of that is part of the connection between this territory, the Virgin Islands and its special links with Great Britain. We have a common legal system, we have links in our culture, strong links in the people of these territories, this territory, and people in the United Kingdom, of which the Deputy Governor and I are part of the relationship we have and which I want to have in my relationships with everyone here in the Virgin Islands,” he explained.
In May, 17 naturalised citizens received their British Citizenship allowing them the ability to freely live, work and vote in the United Kingdom.