Memories of Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away this September 8th, has touched the lives of many people in Great Britain and in countries around the world, including here in the British Virgin Islands. She made two state visits to the Territory in 1966 and 1977, visits that still live in the memories of many Virgin Islanders.
I never met the Queen, but I was privileged to write about her 1977 visit to the Territory. As a young editor and writer for a local publication, it was thrilling to be able to cover such a notable person. With my camera in hand, I followed the Queen and Prince Phillip on their whirlwind visit, snapping photos and absorbing the enthusiasm of the throngs of well-wishers that lined Road Town’s waterfront road.
The Queen and the Prince sat in the back of a privately owned white convertible Lincoln Continental with red leather upholstery. In a country where the roads were ruled by Landrovers, it was the island’s fanciest car. The couple visited the Agricultural station, the market, and Peebles Hospital’s maternity ward where she greeted new mothers and their babies, including a friend of mine who had just given birth to twin girls. Later that evening, she attended a reception of government officials and notable residents at Government House, the home of the Territory’s British Governor and family
By 1977, the BVI had come a long way from 1966 when The Queen made her first visit to these islands. A largely agricultural island of subsistence farmers and fishermen, the Virgin Islands, at the time, were on the cusp of development; its tourism and sailing industries, just emerging. With few cars, most roads unpaved, and electricity hooked up to Road Town but few other communities, the BVI was a different world, insular and quiet.
The Queen’s 1966 visit was marked by a trip to the West End Ferry terminal. In 1966, the sea was the BVI’s main highway and locally built cargo boats and sailing sloops were a common means of transportation. A plaque was later erected commemorating her visit there. She also opened the original one-lane bridge linking Tortola and Beef Island to great fanfare. Named the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in her honor, the bridge opening was a turning point in the Territory’s development. Prior to the bridge, passengers traveling to the airport, located on Beef Island, had to clamber aboard a primitive rope towed barge – often sharing space with chickens, goats and other cargo.
The Queen must have been impressed by the Territory’s development in the 11 short years between her two visits. By 1977 the coast road to West End had been paved, and electricity now reached all of Tortola. A vast section of Road Harbour had been filled in to create Wickhams Cay, greatly expanding the size of Road Town and its commercial center. Three international banks stood on the Cay along with a new marina.
With the Queen’s passing, condolences poured in from around the world. Here in the Virgin Islands Governor John Rankin announced that there would be a gun salute, flags would be flown at half mast and a book of condolences would be available at the Old Government House Museum for the public to sign. Books of Condolences will also be available on the sister islands. BVI Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley will be traveling to the UK to extend his condolences to the family of the Queen on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands.
For more information on royal visits to the British Virgin Islands, Old Government House Museum is a good place to start. Built in the 1920s, this was the home of the Territory’s British Governors until 1996 when a newer Governor’s residence was built next door and the original building was turned into a museum. Here you will find signatures of Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, The Queen Mother, in the home’s guest book along with photos of royal visits and other memorabilia.
More information on Queen Elizabeth and her time in the BVI can be found at
