By Martin Cole-
The Government of Jamaica has declared that with immediate effect, all flags on public buildings should be flown at half-mast to mark the commencement of a period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, from September 8 to 19.
The 96-year-old Queen, who was Jamaica’s head of state, “died peacefully” on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Buckingham Palace earlier announced.
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A day of mourning will be observed in Jamaica on September 18, during which period no celebratory activities should take place.
The declaration is a sign of acknowledgement of the impact and respect the Queen commanded globally. It come despite increasing calls from the public for Jamaica to cut ties with the British monarchy and move towards a republic status.
Those calls were particularly heightened this year during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were representing the Queen as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. There were protests during the royal visit, leading eventually to a distasteful snub from Lisa Hanna, 46, one of the most influential republican voices on the Caribbean island, who at the time launched a blistering attack on Prince William, accusing him of failing to show ‘courage’ by not apologising for the slave trade.
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The former beauty queen, who won Miss World in 1993, went viral in a clip that appeared to show her giving Kate, 40, the cold shoulder during an official event welcoming the Cambridges to the country. She eventually denied the alleged snub was intentional and said the clip purporting the snub had been manipulated.
Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte reported to Parliament that the process to transition Jamaica to a republic has started and should be completed before the next general election, due in 2025.
However, Jamaica decision to have a day of mourning shows just how significant the Queen is historically viewed by its government.
In a statement from Jamaica House, Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: “The world has lost a global matriarch, who was a steadying and constant force throughout many crises and periods of difficulty.”
Prime Minister : Andrew Holness Image: twitter
He said over the course of her 70-year reign, the Queen had “made an immense contribution to the world in public life and was a close friend of Jamaica”.
A statement from the opposition People’s National Party expressed “sincerest condolences to the House of Windsor and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
It noted that during her many royal visits, “the Queen participated in significant milestones in Jamaica’s history” including the opening of the Norman Manley Law School in the 1970s.
Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, in a video statement, said it was an honour to have met the Queen, who he called compassionate. He said her death plunged the world under a veil of sadness. .
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Condolence Book
A Condolence Book will be established at King’s House with effect from September 12 to September 19, 2022. The book will be available to dignitaries in the lobby of King’s House between the hours of 10am to 4pm as of Monday, September 12, 2022, on a predetermined schedule.
Condolence Books will also be established in the offices of the custodes in all parishes. The public will be invited to sign the books from September 13 to September 19, 2022.
Former Prime Minister P J Patterson, in a video statement, said the Queen, during her reign, “presided during this period with remarkable acuity in the transition from empire to a Commonwealth that now encompasses every continent”.
“No one can question her total dedication to duty and the strength of spirit she exuded, whether in times of peril to the British nation or incidents of turmoil within her own family,” Patterson stated.
He noted that the Queen was Jamaica’s Head of State during the country’s 60 years of independence, during which she expressed her fondness for the island on “many memorable visits”.