Thirty-Five (35) individuals are now registered as British Citizens after being previously Naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens. Photo: GIS

'Taking of a new nationality is a matter of significance for every individual and British law requires that those who acquire British nationality in this way must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom, but also knowledge of its history, its institutions and its language,' Governor Daniel Pruce has said. Photo: www.nalawsolicitors.co.uk

During a ceremony held at the Government House on November 7, 2024, the individuals recited the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King, as well as the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.

The new citizens also received congratulatory remarks from His Excellency the Governor, Mr Daniel Pruce and Registrar General, Mrs Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on November 22, 2024, Governor Pruce said, “The process you have gone through to get to where you are today and this ceremony, are matters to which ministers in His Majesty’s government each person attach great importance.”

A shared respect for democratic values

The Governor added, “It’s a significant and solemn occasion. They rightly consider that the taking of a new nationality is a matter of significance for every individual and British law requires that those who acquire British nationality in this way must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom, but also knowledge of its history, its institutions and its language.”

Governor Pruce said the success that both the VI and the UK enjoy in the global economy is founded upon a number of shared factors, including their Common Law legal systems and respect for the rule of law.

The Governor said, “Our connections go much further than that, through our history, our people and our culture. Most importantly as part of the British family, we have a shared respect for democratic values and for the rights and the freedoms of all persons.

The British Nationality Act states that individuals who are Naturalised as British Overseas Territory Citizens after May 21, 2002, can apply to the United Kingdom Government to be registered as British Citizens.

British Citizens

The new British Citizens are: Venita Zenora Stevens-Allan, Yvettlyn Wilhelmena Andrew Alfred, Anthony August, Ziad Abedulkareem Radwan Bazza, Catherine Theresa Gordon-Caul, Dianne Seana Peters-Carter, John Talbert Cohen, Josette Sophia Dixon-Cooper, Victor Emmanuel Nisbett-Faulkner, Melessa Kendra Marsha-Ann Richards-Ferdinand, Bernadette Therese Williams-George, Bridgette Kenya Grant, Roequan Shaun Hemerding, Morris Fitzroy Higgins, Joan Isidore, Joseph Allister James, Sherry-Ann Carita Virginia James, Nakisha Fiona Jones, Rolanda Cassandra Ione Maduro, Erieshel Amika Paul, Jane-Ann Mary Peters, Lynetta Grethel Eletha Pope, Jodiann Carla Purcell, Judith Ann John Robinson, Carlos Marcello Salmon, Almel Narain Sammy, Vishwanie Singh, Nelcia St Jean, Ralph Joseph St Jean, Shadi Nazir Tarabein, Alianna Denica Thomas, Dandra Trishton Vanterpool, Estefani Vanterpool, Kaydia Sherema Vanterpool, and Charlesworth Lemuel Welcome.