Duchess delights on Royal visit to island

From football training to tree planting the Duchess was delighted to meet Bermudians of all walks of life, passing on the Queen’s “warmest good wishes to everyone”.

The Royal visit was capped by the Presentation of Colours to the Bermuda Regiment on Saturday, of which the Duchess is Colonel-in Chief.

Hundreds gathered at the National Sports Centre to watch the spectacular ceremony.

History

From newborn babies to seniors, the stadium was packed with families, all eager to watch history unfold.

This was the Duchess’s first visit to her regiment on home soil since she became Colonel-in-Chief in 2006.

Presentation of new Colours to the Regiment has only happened on two previous occasions in its 45-year history.

In her speech the Duchess reflected on the symbolism of Bermuda’s military Colours, and paid tribute to those who served in the First and Second World Wars.

She told the people of Bermuda: “In 2009, the year of your great 400th Anniversary, the Queen visited Bermuda, and today I am delighted to be able to bring Her Majesty’s warmest good wishes to everyone.

“A year on, I am so pleased to come to Bermuda myself with the very special task of presenting new Colours to my regiment.”

She said although some people might view Regimental Colours as “an archaic remnant”, to mark a battlefield location, to members of the Bermuda Regiment they had special meaning.

“Yet to those who have an appreciation of these matters, traditions have an important role to play... to those who have not only just completed their recent training but also to their predecessors and previous generations, who have over time created the spirit of the Regiment.

“It’s important the Regiment remembers its past because in the future its members may be asked to give that little bit extra, which can make all the difference between victory and defeat.”

The Duchess said: “I am very proud to have been invited to become Colonel-in-Chief of the Bermuda Regiment, following in the footsteps of the late Princess Margaret.

“I am well aware of the battle honours these Colours represent.”

After the old Colours were trooped for a final time, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Right Reverend Dr. Patrick White performed the Consecration of new Colours.

The Duchess then presented the Colours to the Ensigns and addressed her regiment.

She said: “It is with a feeling of complete trust and with a sense of honour that I present these Colours to members of the Bermuda Regiment on this occasion, and I wish you every success for the future.”

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves responded: “We will protect these Colours with the greatest pride, respect and diligence.”

The new Colours were then trooped for the first time.

Football

The Duchess, formerly Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen, arrived on the island on Thursday night for a three-day visit.

On Friday she planted a Fiji fan palm at Government House before meeting young players from the Bermuda Football Association National Academy and Appleby Youth League, at Prospect.

The Duchess was keen to meet all the teenagers but was particularly enthralled by the girls’ abilities, exclaiming “Wow” as she watched them train.

She spent a good ten minutes chatting to Teara Thomas, 15, Akeyla Furbert, 16, Sarai Paul, 14, Jasmine Spence, 12, Jasmine Simmons, 14, and Keunna Dill, 15.

Miss Dill said: “She asked us about our footballing careers and how we all got started. She’s very nice.”

The Duchess also met the Under-14 and Under-16 boys’ teams and coaches, before chatting to Bermudian footballing legend and former West Ham player Clyde Best about plans for the BFA’s Centre of Excellence.

The motorcade then travelled to Warwick Camp where the Royal visitor met serving members of the Regiment and toured the camp for the first time.

She enjoyed lunch in the officers mess before planting her second tree of the day — a Bermuda cedar, assisted by gardener John DeSa.

The Duchess then headed to Paget, to meet members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

In the evening she attended an evening reception at Commissioner’s House, Dockyard.

On her final day on the island, the Duchess attended a Remembrance Commemoration for veterans in King’s Square, St. George’s.

She laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in memory of and then invited Premier Paula Cox to join her in greeting crowds in the town square.

Elegance

Ms Cox said: “Along with the pomp and pageantry of the occasion, there was a quiet dignity that added elegance and stateliness to the ceremony.”

The Premier added she was left both “awed and proud” by the Regimental Parade at the Presentation of Colours.

She described Saturday’s ceremony as “both moving and poignant”.

The Royal party attended a morning service at St. Peter’s Church before enjoying Sunday lunch at Tom Moore’s Tavern.

In her final public engagement, the Duchess attended an afternoon reception at the Masterworks Museum of Art.