London, December 2014. Anthony Bailey organised several key events held in the presence of the Governor General of Antigua & Barbuda, HE Sir Rodney Williams and HE Lady Williams during their visit to the United Kingdom between 21 November-11 December 2014.
Sir Rodney and Lady Williams were they principal guests of honour at the Annual Delegation Dinner of the Constantinian Order’s British & Irish Delegation held at Armourers’ Hall on 25 November 2014 in the presence of His Eminence Cormac Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor and former Lord Mayor of London, His Honour Sir Gavyn Arthur. During the evening, a Vote of Thanks was proposed by Sir Rodney. During his speech, the Governor General spoke warmly of the positive and prominent role that the Constantinian Order now has in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean region and also of the significant contribution made to charitable projects in the areas of education, national patrimony, social welfare and community outreach which now reaches several million of euros. The Governor General paid tribute to the Delegate Anthony Bailey for championing the cause of the Caribbean among the Constantinian Order’s members.
On 28 November 2014, Anthony Bailey was the host at a dinner of the Government House Restoration Committee held at The Travellers’ Club in London. Among those attending were the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda and Lady Williams, The Rt Hon the Lord Howell of Guildford, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Baroness Hooper, Baroness Jay, Sir William Jeffcock, Mr and Mrs Nadhmi Auchi, Deputy and Mrs William Fraser. The Government House Restoration Committee oversees the specific cultural heritage of the buildings and grounds, referred to as the Government House. The Committee functions as an advisory, planning and implementation body and represents a cross section of the views of the community. Government House is the official residence of the Governor General who is the official representative of HM Queen Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Governor General HE Sir Rodney Williams was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, receiving the Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) on 5th December 2014 at Windsor Castle. During a Private Audience with Her Majesty, Sir Rodney and Lady Sandra Williams presented the Queen with a portrait, painted by a talented young local artist, Rachael Bento. The portrait of Her Majesty also depicted cultural elements of Antigua and Barbuda.
Sir Rodney and Lady Williams were also the Guests of Honour at the Annual Banquet of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London. In attendance were over 700 guests including many key figures from the Corporation of the City of London including the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, The President and First Lady of the Republic of Albania, TRH Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania and the diplomatic corps accredited to the United Kingdom.
To read a letter sent from the Governor General of Antigua & Barbuda to Anthony, click here.
For further information on the Governor General of Antigua & Barbuda please click here.
