Annual Celebration of Her Majesty’s Visit to Turks and Caicos Islands
2016 Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Tour
She has been portrayed on numerous stamps of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She inspired the islands’ annual sailing regatta and festival that has endured for 50 years.
And she is even the reason one couple flew thousands of miles from their home to visit this part of the Caribbean.
50th Anniversary
2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands. On February 25, 1966 the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, travelled to Grand Turk and then South Caicos Island. The islands have been a British crown colony since 1962, and the British influence has always been very strong.
But the Queen’s personal visit in 1966 left a very significant mark on the island culture and island life. You can’t go far without seeing her influence. There’s Queen Street and Royal Jewels Duty Free Shopping. Even the national law enforcement body is called the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force.
Annual Celebrations
Queen Elizabeth arrived in 1966 aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her visit was celebrated with much pomp and even included a donkey race with 9 jockeys. Subsequently the people of South Caicos decided to commemorate her visit by hosting an annual regatta.
The South Caicos Regatta, also known as the Big South Regatta has been held every May since then and features big yacht and speed boat races, beauty pageants, float parades, maypole dancing and donkey races. This annual celebration of Her Majesty’s visit to Turks and Caicos Islands attracts participants from all over the world.
A National Holiday
While the Queen’s actual birth date is in April, in the Turks & Caicos Islands her birthday is celebrated as a national holiday on the Monday after the second Saturday in June. This year it will be celebrated on June 13th. The day’s events include extensive parades featuring police and government officials, firefighters, and youth representing girl guides, boy scouts, and local schools. The Governor usually presides over the festivities, and the event draws large enthusiastic crowds.
Commemorating Her Highness
As well as being the sovereign and head of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Queen Elizabeth has also ruled the island’s postage stamps. She was first featured in 1955, and after her visit in 1966, was depicted abundantly commemorating the anniversaries of her birthday, wedding, coronation and visit to the islands. There have also been stamps honoring her children’s weddings and her mother’s birthday. The Queen’s image is also the prominent feature on coins. There have been many issues honouring her birthday, wedding, coronation as well as some marking events in lives of her children such as the investiture of her son Prince Charles.
A Historical Tour
It has been 50 years since Queen Elizabeth visited the Turks and Caicos islands. If you are interested touring South Caicos, you can take a 75 minute ferry ride aboard TCI Ferry. The twice weekly sailings leave Provo on Fridays and Sundays at 1:30pm from Heaving Down Rock Walkin Marina. The 18th century Commissioner’s House where Her Majesty stayed and the East Harbour where the Royal Yacht Brittania moored are still there.
The history, beauty and serenity of South Caicos are timeless. No matter how far you are from your claim to the throne, you’ll be treated royally with a travel experience that is memorable.
