Thirty-six people were recently registered as British citizens after previously having been naturalised as British overseas territories citizens, government announced.
During a ceremony held Aug. 27 at the Government House, the group recited the Oath of Allegiance to King Charles III and pledged loyalty to the United Kingdom.
“Today you have taken a significant step,” Governor Daniel Pruce told the new citizens, adding, “The oath and the pledge are not just words. They are a formal promise that you have made as you embrace your new nationality.”
Mr. Pruce added that the territory shares “precious links” with the UK, according to Government Information Services.
“The success that both the Virgin Islands and United Kingdom enjoy in the global economy is founded upon many shared factors, including our common-law legal systems and our respect for the rule of law,” he said. “But our connections go much further than that throughout history, through our people and through our culture.”
Registrar General Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro also spoke at the ceremony.
“The United Kingdom is a country that values democracy, freedom and respect for all people, regardless of their background,” Ms.O’Flaherty-Maduro said. “As new citizens, you now have the responsibility of upholding these values and contributing to the ongoing legacy of this great nation.”
Responsibilities
She also urged the group to remember the responsibilities that come with their new citizenship
“It is about participating in your community, standing up for what is right, and helping to make the United Kingdom a better place for everyone,” she said.
Under the British Nationality Act, people who are naturalised as British overseas territory citizens after May 21, 2002, can apply to the UK government to be registered as British citizens.
