By Penny Legg

Six residents of Anguilla, who have been naturalised as British Overseas Territories’ Citizens and have gone on to register as British Citizens, took the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her Heirs and Successors and the Citizenship Pledge at the Governor’s Office on Tuesday 29 July. They received their British Citizenship Certificates at a ceremony presided over by His Excellency, the Acting Governor, Mr Stanley Reid.

His Excellency the Acting Governor Mr Stanley Reid, presenting British Citizenship Certificate to Nola Zabala Luciano

Those receiving British Citizenship were Jinelle Andrea Benn, Chun Hao Feng, Judith Dumas, Leonardo Fleming Hodge, Eladia Maximina Urena De Fleming and Nola Zabala Luciano.

The Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Governor’s Staff Officer, Joe Legg, presiding over his last British Citizenship Ceremony before he leaves office for a posting in the United Kingdom in September. “I feel sad really,” he said on being asked how he felt about this last Ceremony. “It’s been a nice part of my job over the three years that I have been here; facilitating these ceremonies, welcoming new British Citizens and awarding them their certificates, of course, with the help of the Governor!”

The British Citizenship Recipients

The Acting Governor, Mr Reid, presenting the Certificates to the new British Citizens, explained that British Citizenship Ceremonies have been taking place since 2004 and outlined the significance of becoming a British Citizen under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. The recipients would henceforth be able to apply for British Passports and have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.

“On behalf of the Government of Queen Elizabeth II, I congratulate you on obtaining British Citizenship today. It is of course expected that, because of your connection with Anguilla, you will continue to work for the good of Anguilla and its sustained economic development and contribute to the wellbeing of the community here,” the Acting Governor said as he presented the Certificates.

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