A history-making event took place in the Cayman Islands on 16 and 17 February 1983, with the first visit to these Islands by a reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.

Her Majesty opened the Queen’s Highway which links North Side and East End on Grand Cayman, a significant road project, and she also opened The Pines, the Cayman Islands’ first retirement home.

Her Majesty opened the 1983 session of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly on 17 February following a colourful parade, a Royal Salute, and inspection by Her Majesty of the Guard of Honour in front of the Legislative Assembly building in George Town.

Her Majesty, who was accompanied by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, delivered the Speech from the Throne. Following the speech, an investiture was held on the steps of the Legislative Assembly building.

Miss Annie Huldah Bodden, OBE, the Third Elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Constituency of George Town, also presented Her Majesty with a gift from the Government and people of the Cayman Islands.

Following the investiture Her Majesty and His Royal Highness went on a walk-about of George Town, speaking to many of the persons gathered for the occasion.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh next visited the Cayman Islands in 1994.

The royal visit took place on the weekend of 26-27 February.

A highlight of the whirlwind visit was the official opening of the 1994 session of the Legislative Assembly, during which Her Majesty read the Speech from the Throne. This was followed by the Investiture Ceremony in which she presented honours to 13 recipients, and knighted the former Financial Secretary, Sir Vassel Johnson.

While here, the Queen officially opened two national projects, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park of the Cayman Islands, in North Side, and the Ed Bush Sports Centre, in West Bay, and unveiled a commemorative plaque at the newly-developed Wreck of the Ten Sails Historic Park in East End.

His Royal Highness personally presented gold awards under the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme to six young people in an awards ceremony at the George Town Town Hall. The Duke also visited the Governor Michael Gore Bird Sanctuary in Spotts-Newlands.

Although the visit was a short one, it was carefully organised to allow the representatives from every sector of the society to meet the royal couple.

The Queen and Duke were themselves hosts of a reception and banquet aboard the HMY Brittania on Saturday night, while their Royal Marines Band entertained residents on land.