Fifty-eight persons were naturalised as British Overseas Territories citizens on Friday, May 29, 2026, during a Naturalisation Ceremony held at Government House. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Acting Governor, Mr David D. Archer reminded the 58 new British Overseas Territories citizens that citizenship comes with a renewed commitment to the Virgin Islands (VI) and encouraged them to embrace the Territory as their home. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) welcomed the newly naturalised citizens into the Virgin Islands family, encouraging them to embrace their new status with a sense of pride, ownership and responsibility. He said that now there are many more persons who enrich the diversity of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

“The wait is over. And if you have any doubt if you were good enough, let me tell you, you're beyond good enough, because you're great. You're not just here by physical presence; you're here because of your contributions, your dedication to the Virgin Islands, and the impact you've made on the lives of others," Mr David. D. Archer, Acting Governor, told the new British citizens. "We are extremely grateful and honoured to provide this recognition for the work you've done to make the Virgin Islands better.”

He also reminded them that citizenship comes with a renewed commitment to the Virgin Islands (VI) and encouraged them to embrace the Territory as their home, viewing its successes and challenges as their own, and to protect, strengthen and serve it with pride, passion and dedication as fellow Virgin Islanders.

More than receiving papers- Premier Wheatley 

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) welcomed the newly naturalised citizens into the Virgin Islands family, encouraging them to embrace their new status with a sense of pride, ownership and responsibility. He said that now there are many more persons who enrich the diversity of the Virgin Islands. 

"In the past, we may have been defined by our smallness and our family connections, among other things, but today we have to be defined by our tolerance for differences. Despite the fact that we might be of different races, religions, countries of origin, it is possible for us to share the same values, to share the same principles and to share the same love for these beautiful Virgin Islands."

The Premier said it was more than "just receiving papers" as they are joining a family. "Regardless of where you come from, the Virgin Islands is your home. I look at you as Virgin Islanders of Lebanese descent, Dominican descent, Jamaican descent, Nigerian descent and many other backgrounds. We have to be able to embrace the Virgin Islands as home."

The new citizens are Audley Olanzo Bennett, Arlene Rose Marie Bobb, Urenna Nzinga Folayan Butler, Calisha Rachael Cayonne, Obi Fitz Patrick Chester, Ivet Rose Clarke, Omar Gaddafi Kwame Courtney, Natasha Ann Cush, Joseph Owusu Yeboah Daaku, Aiesha Elena Daniel, Audrey Denise Carol Griffith-Daniel, Samantha Alexis Daniels, Sylvia Jestina Debique, Jagnarine Deochand, Ikechukwu Samuel Emelandu, Rebecca Essumang, Banmatie Etwaru, Nehaul Etwaru, Alcyon Antoinette Gillings, Kempton Junior Halley, Sandie Nikacha Huggins, Rebecca Jane Redvers-Higgins, Chelcia Cheslyann Abigail Jackson, Vanessa Samanta Surujdeo-James, Sharon Blackett Jeremiah, Saad Kaddoura, Saif Kaddoura, Mahandradat Kaiso, Claudette Donnice Jessica King, Natalia Mandy Lawrence, Claudina Jno Lewis, Vernese Shikeba Guy Marquis, Marjorie Anita McCarthy, Melinda Equis McKie, Solomon Duhaney McKie, Jason Kelvin Seon Mingo, Juliana Diaz Molano, Brian Godfrey Moore, Vernella Pandora Moore, Alexander Nicholas, Craig Gareth Noblett, Tabitha L. Desbonnes Parillon, Milenia Altagracia Lugo de Penn, David Samuel Primo, Sharon Jennifer Primo, Sheldon Michael Riviere, Leon Roger Rodgers, Monica Haidee Osoria Del Rosario, Amelia Maria Angela Samuel, Earill Eraemus Sergeant Jacqueline Jennifer Sergeant, Christopher Andrew Simpsonl, Roger Gregory Sinclair, Wrinisck Rene De Leon Vanterpool, Wrisberg Rene De Leon Vanterpool, Kimana Gabline Wattley, Martin Terence Whitrod, Tamica Anitra Sharlene Williams. 

Registrar General Mrs Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro noted that many of the new citizens have already made significant contributions to the Territory through their service in healthcare, education, business, community development, charitable organisations and other sectors that help strengthen the social and economic fabric of the Virgin Islands.