Government of Saint Lucia

Go to Homepage

[Feedback]

[Site Map]

[Contact Us]

Search this Site

Address by P. M. Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony - Welcoming Their Royal Highnesses On The Occassion of the Independence Cocktail

horizontal rule

Governor General
Prime Minister
The Cabinet
The Senate
House of Assembly
Overseas Missions
The Constitution
The Staff Orders

National Television Network
Watch NTN Live

Saint Lucia Gazette
Press Releases
Speeches
Features
Notices
Tenders/Consultancies
Vacancies
About Saint Lucia
Frequently Asked Questions
Web Links
Government Directory
Browse by Agency
Site Help

 

ADDRESS BY

DR THE HON. KENNY D. ANTHONY

 

TO WELCOME THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES ON THE OCCASSION OF THE INDEPENDENCE COCKTAIL,

OFFICIAL RESIDENCE

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

 

Salutations…

 

ETERNALLY MEMORABLE MOMENTS

There are moments in every life that remain eternally memorable. Even the life of a sitting Prime Minister-for all its predictable highlights and imponderable challenges-is no exception.

 

For those who live constantly in the spotlight of international politics, whose lives are so public as to be witnessed on a global scale, this truth must be exponentially amplified.

 

For me, the most memorable of such moments are those experienced at both the personal and the public level: those occasions when national duty and individual volition coincide seamlessly.

This is one such moment, for this evening, it is not just my duty but also a keenly felt pleasure and privilege to offer Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Edward, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, this warmest national welcome.

 

OUR SHARED HISTORY

Your Royal Highnesses, ours is long and colourful history. The fact that so much of our story is shared with you, your family, your country and other members of the Commonwealth makes it even more remarkable. Indeed, that sense of community has sustained and guided us through many travails, for as a small developing country, we have been many things, but never alone.

And, we are as proud of that history as indeed you must be, acknowledging from your own perspective, our progress over these many centuries: from far flung colony, to federated state, to associated statehood, and now as a fully independent nation-member of the international community.

We would like to think that this relationship, this shared and sometimes imperfect history has set the stage for our substantial progress in charting our own economic and political destiny.

We would like to think that our past sits, both as a foil and a foundation, on top of which we have accumulated such incontrovertible evidence of our own resilience, our devotion to democratic principles, our closely held values as a society, and our enduring traditions as a brave vibrant people.

Indeed, our shared history is the context from which springs our remarkable record of national achievement and our unflagging determination to make a mark on the world, as your island has also done, well beyond any expectation which may arise from casual observation of our size.

 

MARKING THE DIAMOND JUBILEE

That determination is rewarded here this evening by the honour we feel by your distinguished presence, not only in your own eminent capacity, but as envoy and representative of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second.

We join you in commemorating Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, particularly at this time when we are also celebrating our own 33rd Anniversary of Independence. It is something more than instructive, that we can simultaneously celebrate with ready candour, and without fear of contradiction, our own coming of age as a nation, alongside the enduring and distinguished reign of Her Majesty the Queen.

We are honoured that Saint Lucia has been chosen as one of several Caribbean states, to be included in this activity of the Diamond Jubilee celebration.

For our own part we are marking the Diamond Jubilee with efforts of our own.

 

THE WARMEST POSSIBLE WELCOME

And so your Highnesses to conclude, please allow me to extend, on behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia the warmest possible welcome to you.

 

Though your time with us is limited, we trust that in your short sojourn you will experience the same pride of home and gracious hospitality which has made Saint Lucia an exceptional place to live and an equally remarkable place to visit.

 

I thank you!

 

horizontal rule

Home ] Up ] Office of the Prime Minister Site Map ] [Site Help]

© 2012 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.