Governor Pruce Welcomes 60 New British Citizens
Sixty people were formally registered as British citizens at a Government House ceremony on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, Governor Daniel Pruce told the new citizens they had “persevered with the process” and had demonstrated allegiance to both the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands (reported by Guavaberry). Registrar General Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro said the ceremony marks the start of a new chapter, reminding registrants that citizenship brings rights, privileges and civic responsibilities (reported by Virgin Islands News Online and Guavaberry).
Sixty people were formally registered as British citizens during a ceremony held at Government House on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, Guavaberry reported. The event brought together the new citizens, their families and officials for a short programme of remarks and formal registration. Governor Daniel Pruce congratulated the registrants on completing the registration process and acknowledged their commitment to both the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands. “I congratulate you on having persevered with the process, and for having demonstrated your allegiance to the United Kingdom as well as to The Virgin Islands,” he said, noting that the British citizen’s passport will enable rights of residence and employment in the UK and open opportunities for study and professional development (Guavaberry).
The Governor also reminded the new citizens that legal status carries moral and civic duties. He urged them to be welcoming to others new to the Territory and quoted scripture: “You shall love the stranger, for you were once strangers in the land.” Those remarks framed citizenship as both a personal milestone and a civic responsibility, a theme also highlighted in earlier coverage by Virgin Islands News Online.
Registrar General Mrs Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro echoed the Governor’s message, saying the ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for each person. “Citizenship carries rights and privileges, but it also reflects commitment—commitment to shared values, civic responsibility, respect for others, and active participation in community life,” she said, asking registrants to recognise their place within the wider British family and to take up the responsibilities that come with citizenship (Guavaberry; VINO).
The newly registered British citizens, as listed by Guavaberry, are Jean Delice Avril; Ashley Alexis Browne; Andrew Claxton Campbell; Gail Patricia Carrington; John Eric Ian Carrington; Cassandra Charles; Yijun Chen; Jaleel Nathan Jevon Croal; Keslar Dawson; Jacqueline Petula Donovan; Hylford Emanuel Duhaney; Walter Andrew Ells Jr; Jershell Janica Esprit; Rennicks Claudius Etienne; Valda John Baptiste Etienne; Jose Alejandro Alcala Faulkner; Adenike Marie Flax; Darnell Antonio Gerard Flax; Jo-Anne Catherine Neale-France; Marie Therese Annie George; Eloy Emanuel Gibbs; Orland Rosco Glasgow; Molisia Elenor Haywood; Fernanda Magaly Mason Henley; Sharon Claudine Henry; Chandrawattie Persaud Hinds; Annalisa Bride Hippolyte; Christopher Diego Holder; Samantha Dahlia Jeffers; Kiara Lareisha Johnney; Thile Douchel Joseph; Shayvanie Kumarie Karran; Francess Veronica La Touche; Nicolas Crenele Laurac; Niesha Lettisha Maduro; Cedric Matthew Junior Mars; Joel Randalph Mars; Duklin George McDonald; Mildred Santana Pacheco; Tieanna Ashanti Parillon; Ra-Shaun Jalen Penn; Jaadon Isaiah Quashie; Glory Ramjawan; Khemragie Ramotar; Sylvia Lenora Richards; Charles Elsworth Jr Rochester; Gail Aloma Scotland; Anelia Ancelia Sharpe; Evanette Caron Shipley; Erica Adella Ollivierre Simmons; Cislyn Carmen Stevens; Pearla Sylvester-Thomas; Rahim Abdullah Thomas; Vielka Del Carmen Soto Thomas; Nurys Iris Vanterpool Welch; Irene Minerva McPherson Williams; Shane Kevin Williams; Shanique Angelica Williams; Cecelia Jasmine Winchester; and Huifang Wu (Guavaberry).
Local significance was underlined by officials who said new citizens may strengthen family and community ties with the UK through education, work or travel, while the Territory benefits from individuals committed to civic engagement. At the same time, public discussion often accompanies changes in status around workforce participation and migration, so clear communication about rights and responsibilities is important for families, employers and the wider community (VINO; Guavaberry).
Officials urged the community to support the newly registered citizens as they take up their rights and responsibilities. The ceremony and statements from Governor Pruce and Registrar General O’Flaherty-Maduro make clear that citizenship is not only a passport but an invitation to contribute to the public life and values of both the Virgin Islands and the wider British family (VINO; Guavaberry).
Primary source: VINO