Seventy-nine people were naturalised as British overseas territories citizens during a brief ceremony on Aug. 29 at Government House.
The group affirmed an oath of allegiance to King Charles III and pledged loyalty to the Virgin Islands, completing the legal requirements for their new status, government announced in a Friday statement.
“Today is your day,” Governor Daniel Pruce said during the ceremony. “It gives me great pleasure to be part of an event where you are all committing yourselves loyally to new ties, which will stay with you for the rest of your lives. This is a highly enriching process from which you as individuals and the BVI as a territory will gain.”
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley also addressed the group.
“Among you, I see persons who attended and taught in schools here, teachers who even taught my two children,” he said. “I see persons who work here, who look after us medically and spiritually. I see a broad cross-section of individuals who I am proud to welcome into the BVI family.”
Registrar General Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro told the group that citizenship is more than just a legal status, according to government.
“It signifies your commitment to uphold the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship, to contribute to the common good, and to work together for the prosperity and well-being of all,” Ms. Flaherty-Maduro said.
British Nationality Act
Naturalisation is the process under the British Nationality Act, 1981, that allows individuals to become British overseas territories citizens, according to government.
