VI CONSORTIUM
HAMILTON, Bermuda – Rena Lalgie, Bermuda’s first black and female governor, was sworn into office on Monday, December 14, 2020, during a closed ceremony at Government House.
Lalgie, who arrived from Britain on Sunday, said, “It is a privilege to have begun my service as governor of Bermuda. My family and I look forward to settling into Bermudian life.” The appointment was announced in June by Queen Elizabeth II.
Premier David Burt, Chief Justice Narinder Hargun and Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque attended the swearing-in ceremony as Bermuda grapples with a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.
A government spokeswoman said, “All necessary health guidelines and precautions were observed” at the event.
The spokeswoman said a public ceremony to mark the arrival of the new governor would be held next year “when conditions become safe to do so”.
Lalgie replaces John J. Rankin, a Scotsman, who has left to take up a similar post in the [British] Virgin Islands, a sister British Overseas Territory.