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Royal Visits

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Help preserve the history of the islands.

Royal Visits

Visits by The British Royal Family

Golden Jubilee

In 2002 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee. The Museum felt that this would be a good time to research events in the Turks and Caicos Islands that involved a visit from a member of the British Royal Family or celebrated a royal event.

1861 Visit by Prince Alfred

The first official Royal Visit planned for the Turks Islands was in 1861. His Royal Highness Prince Alfred was due to arrive on Grand Turk and the Island had prepared itself, but at the last moment the visit was cancelled as the Prince had to return urgently to Britain due to the death of the Duchess of Kent. In fact the HMS St. George which was carrying the Prince, got as near as Inagua before it started its return voyage to England.

1928 Visit by Prince George

The first Royal visit to these islands was carried out unofficially. Following the hurricane in 1928 HMS Durban arrived at Grand Turk to offer assistance. Aboard the ship was His Royal Highness Prince George who came ashore incognito and spent the evening at Government House with other officers from the ship. The ship distributed food and assisted the Islanders during this period.

1960 Visit by the Princess Royal

The first official visit happened in March 1960 when, the Princess Royal, Princess Mary, visited Grand Turk. The Royal Yacht Britannia lay offshore at Grand Turk and as the Princess Royal came ashore in the royal barge she passed the gathered Caicos sloops and Salt Company lighters, which had been decorated with bunting and flags.

The Princess Royal was greeted by the Governor of Jamaica, Sir Kenneth Blackburne, then by the Administrator Geoffrey Guy and his wife, followed by members of the Executive Council and their wives. After these presentations had taken place at the salt dock the princess Royal inspected a Guard of Honour formed by the local troops of Scouts and Guides.

From the Dock the Princess Royal was taken to a platform made of a pile of salt, decorated with conch shells and starfish, and carpeted with mats specially woven by the Federation of Women. A senior elected member of the Legislative Assembly gave a welcome address and the Princess was presented with a shell lamp for herself, a sailing model of a local sloop for Prince Charles and a sponge for Princess Anne (who was later to become the Princess Royal). The Lodges and Benevolent Society members were present in their uniforms making it a colourful occasion. After the Official welcome the Princess Royal was taken on a tour of the United States Auxiliary Air Force Guided Missile Base and the United States Naval Facility, the Hospital and the Library. In the afternoon, the Girl Guides and Scouts gave a display on the Parade Ground and in the Militia Building each branch of the Federation of Women of Grand Turk and Salt Cay and of each of the settlements of the Caicos Islands had stalls displaying their handwork. The Grand Turk branch also put on a dress display, modelling dresses that they had made themselves. In the evening there was a cocktail party at Government House and when the Princess Royal returned to the Royal Yacht Britannia there was a firework display in town to mark her departure.

Following her departure on 25th March the Princess Royal sent a telegram to the Administrator Geoffrey Guy, which read “I thank you and Mrs Guy for your hospitality to me and should be glad if you would tell your Executive Council and the People of the Turks and Caicos how very much I enjoyed my visit to the Islands. The warm hearted and friendly reception I received will always remain with me as a very happy memory”. The Administrator responded “On behalf of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands may I thank you both for your gracious message and for honouring us with your visit, which everyone here will always remember with pride and gratitude” (The Gazette, April 2nd 1960)

1966 Visit by Queen Elizabeth II

The one-day tour by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, on Friday February 25th 1966, still stands out as one of the country’s most historic visits. The Royal Yacht Britannia and its naval escort arrived at just past 8.00 after an overnight journey from the British Virgin Islands.

The day started off at Grand Turk at around 9.30am. After being greeted at the Salt Company Pier by the Bahamas Governor, Sir Ralph Grey, the Administrator Mr J. A. Golding and prominent personalities, the royal couple carried out many formal duties. This included an official welcome address at the Parade Ground by the Honourable R E Basden where the Queen was also introduced to many of the local dignitaries. The Royal couple later went to the American Missile Tracking Base where they were taken around by Major General Vincent G. Huston, the commander of the U.S. Air Force Eastern Test Range. Here they were shown models of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecrafts and informed of Grand Turks role in the Space Race.

Later in the Day the Royal Yacht Britannia sailed over to South Caicos where it was greeted with a flotilla of small boats and sloops. Again the Royal couple went through an official welcoming service and then visited the plant of the Caicos Fisheries Inc., and an exhibition of local Caicos crafts.

The highlight of the visit to South Caicos had to be the donkey race. The race, started by Liam Maguire, set off from just in front of the Royal Box and then proceeded past the government jetty, past a marker at the Caicos Fisheries and then back to the Royal Box. The nine “jockeys” and their donkeys, which were wearing colourful caps and costumes, made an interesting site as they wound their way along the course. Earl Basden, riding “Willie Boy” took an early lead and held onto it for the rest of the race to take the 10 first prize. The 5 second prize went to Samuel Smith jr. who had been riding “Mighty Sparrow” and the 2 third prize went to Gilbert Lightbourne who had been riding “Brown Man”. Following the awarding of the prizes to the “jockeys” the Royal party returned to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

During her visit several of the local residents were presented with honours for public services at a reception at Government House. This included the presentation of the Order of the British Empire to Honourable E T Wood at Government House, this event being recorded as one of the stamps issued in 1977 to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

The Queen’s link to the Island continued after her visit. In April 1966 the Turks and Caicos Police Force gained the title “Royal” upon it in recognition of their work during the Queen’s visit.

See also Summer 2002 issue of Astrolabe

Sources of information

Assorted newspaper cuttings from Britain and the Bahamas
Conch Horn, April 1st 1966
Royal Visit – Bahama Islands with Turks and Caicos Islands, Stanley Toogood
Salina Post, 1977
Visit of Her Majesty The Queen – Official Programme of Events

1973 Visit by Prince Charles

In most years the British Royal Navy sends a ship on an official visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The next official Royal Visit was during one of these naval stopovers. Prince Charles was one of the crew of HMS Minerva when it visited the Islands in 1973. He visited Grand Turk and South Caicos and during his stay played in two cricket matches as one of the HMS Minerva team. Unfortunately, his first innings was short: Maurice Hanchell bowled him out first ball and the Navy team went onto defeat. In South Caicos Norman Saunder’s Cockburn Harbour Cricket Club also beat the Navy team, with the Prince making 12 runs this time.

1993 Visit by Prince Philip

Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh has made the most visits to the Islands. His first visit came in 1966 when he accompanied his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. His next visit came in 1977 when he made a brief stop at Grand Turk airport, on his flight from the Caribbean to England where he had been presenting school awards in the Windward Islands. On the 10th October 1980 he returned as a co pilot of an RAF Viscount aircraft, which refuelled at Grand Turk airport during its flight from Venezuela to Nassau.

His latest visit occurred on March 20th 1993 when during his time on Grand Turk he viewed the artefacts from the Molasses Reef Wreck at the National Museum. Prince Philip, referring to a number of photos of the Queen’s visit in 1966, commented during a presentation to the Legislative Council that “I don’t know how many of you have been put in a museum while you are still alive” and that it was “quite an interesting feeling to be in a museum before you are actually dead”.

The prince also visited a tent opposite the Museum that was housing a display from the recently established Turks and Caicos National Trust. After his tour of Grand Turk he was flown over to Providenciales where his visit saw him take in several hotels and the conch farm.

2000 Visit by Prince Andrew

The last official Royal Visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands was in March 2000 when the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, paid a three-day visit to the country. Arriving on March 16th, he started off in Grand Turk where he took in a visit of the National Museum and later that evening HE Governor Mervyn Jones hosted a reception in his honour at Waterloo. The following day Prince Andrew gave a presentation to the Legislative Committee and then attended a display from Grand Turk children on the Parade Ground. On March 18th the Duke of York flew to Providenciales where he visited Clement Howell High School, Cheshire Hall Plantation site and a reception at Beaches Resort before returning to Grand Turk for the night. On the following day he left the Islands.

2001 Visit by Prince Edward

The last visit by a member of the Royal Family was by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, who paid an unofficial visit when he stayed at Parrot Cay on holiday in February 2001.

Culture & History

  • Golden Age of the Turks Islands
  • Nature & Environment
  • Slavery
  • Lucayans
  • Shipwrecks
  • Salt Industry
  • SIsal Industry
  • Royal Events
  • Space Race
  • Turks & Caicos History Timeline
  • Landmarks
  • Further Reading

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The Museum is a publicly funded not for profit organization.

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Click here to view a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

The Colors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

RED was chosen to represent the nation’s capital, Grand Turk. The color is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE was chosen to represent Salt Cay. The color came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE was chosen to represent South and East Caicos. The color comes from the Spiny Lobster and fish and reflects the fishing industry in the “Big South.”

TAN was chosen to represent Middle Caicos. The color is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN was chosen to represent North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The color is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home of Wade’s Green Plantation, the most successful of Caicos Islands cotton plantations.

TURQUOISE was chosen to represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. The color is taken from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sail. These turquoise waters also contribute to our newest industry, tourism.

PINK was chosen to represent the beautiful conch shell, flamingoes and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW represents God’s glory as the sun shining down on all our beautiful islands and cays. The sun also contributes to our newest industry, tourism.

View a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

View Timeline

A Few Artifacts You’ll See at the Museum

Our collections represent the rich historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.

Lucayan Duho

Photo courtesy of Joanna Ostapkowicz. The Duho is one of the rarest artifacts in the museum’s collections. It was used a ceremonial seat for the cacique or chief of the Lucayans, the first inhabitants of these islands.

Fresnel Lens

The Grand Turk Lighthouse was erected in 1852 and was originally designed to burn whale oil and had an Argand reflector lamp. In 1943 the lighthouse was converted to a Fresnel Lens one of these lenses is now on display at the Museum.

Swivel Gun

The Molasses reef wreck, an early Spanish Caravel was equipped with three types of breech-loading swivel guns, one type is shown above. The swivel guns are thought to be anti-personnel weapons placed wherever convenient along the ship’s rail.

Salt Industry Post Card

The museum has diverse collection of early postcards of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most post cards depict scenes on Grand Turk, the capital and from the salt industry.

Take a Look
TCI Governor

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

H.E. Nigel Dakin CMG

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Museum on Grand Turk surely stands in one of the most majestic settings of any museum, anywhere! Perched on the edge of the Columbus Landfall national park. The 200-year-old building, “Guinep Lodge”, which houses a multitude of artifacts covering everything from the pre–Columbian Indians to the modern age, is a museum in its own right. The west facing building has stood firm and witnessed 200+ years of incredible TCI sunsets and has withstood every major hurricane since before records began.

The National Museum plays a vital role in recovering, preserving, recording and displaying the history of these island for all to see, enjoy and learn from. The museum’s archive is a veritable treasure trove of information, with enough information to fill two museums. With thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts from multiple archeological digs from around the TCI over the last 50 years, un-displayed artifacts from ancient warships, parish records or births, deaths and marriages dating back over 200 years; a veritable gold mine of information, just waiting to be discovered.

The museum is not only an exhibition facility for local history and artifacts, but also undertakes important work in the community with multiple events throughout the year and supports all the TCI schools, has a regular summer camp and kids club for our budding historians and archeologists of tomorrow.  The Grand Turk location includes a “science building” which is a fully fledged restoration facility to stabilize artifacts before they are displayed or stored in the archive. All of this work has been quietly undertaken since the museum was founded 30 years ago. There is also a campus on Provo and there are exciting plans underway to construct a new, multimillion dollar purpose-built facility for the wider enjoyment of our fascinating history. The Governor’s Office is proud to have supported the TCNMF over the years with vital capital projects.

Whether you are a local, or a visitor to our beautiful shores; I encourage you to visit and support the Turks & Caicos National Museum and absorb our colorful and surprisingly diverse local history.


H E Nigel Dakin CMG

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

Hon. Josephine Connnolly

"It is a pleasure as Minister with responsibility of Heritage to welcome you to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum website. This Gem of an operation is perhaps the most notable establishment in regards to sites of historical interest. Since its establishment in 1991 it has always been an intricate part of our tourism product.

As a supporter, I believe the National Museum’s success depends on all resident and visitors; and as Minister I am committed to strengthening our tourism product through the infusion of authenticity and the increase in awareness of the National Museum in the development of heritage assets for sustainable tourism development.

Visit and explore the Grand Turk and Providenciales locations and experience our heritage and culture through interactive displays and exhibits. Special thanks is extended to the National Museum, a tangible product, a repository for artefacts and documents, providing a true island experience.".

Hon. Josephine Connnolly
Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

"My interest in history and research goes back to my years as a student at the then Grand Turk Secondary School, where my teacher and later mentor, the late Helena Jones Robinson instilled a curiosity in me to appreciate context.  At that time, not fully appreciating the impact that curiosity would have on me, I sought only to please my teacher.

Pursuing tertiary education at various institutions, in various countries and at various levels, my initial foundation of inquiry was further stimulated.  Libraries and museums would form a very important part of my education, specifically during my studies in Jamaica, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Returning home after my studies abroad, my first visit to the Museum so captivated me that I began to tell all persons, visitors and islanders alike, that a visit to the museum was a MUST! The quaintness, yet thorough organization and presentation of artifacts of various kinds avowed me.

I found tremendous joy in taking my TCI Studies students to the Museum, standing back and listening to their expressions of excitement and curiosity as the curators and assistants would walk them through the various displays and presentations.

The Jamaican expression “likkle but tallawah” (small but strong) aptly fits our Museum.  The significance of this institution to our history and culture cannot be over stressed.

Welcome to The Museum.  A combination of history, culture and enchantment awaits you."

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Historic Photo Gallery of the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Locations

Guinep House, Front Street

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2160
From the US (786) 220-1159
Hours Vary - See our schedule under Locations

The Village at Grace Bay

Development Office and Caicos Heritage House
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2161
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

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