Photos/Video: Gun Salute Celebrates Royal Baby
[Updated with photos & video] To celebrate the birth of the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a Royal Four Gun Salute will take place this afternoon [May 2] at 12:30pm at Albouy’s Point in Hamilton, and the public is invited to attend.
“In attendance will be His Excellency The Governor, Mr. George Fergusson and Mrs. Fergusson together with Acting Premier, Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons, JP, MP and Mrs. Gibbons,” a government spokesperson said.
The BBC reports, “The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a girl, Kensington Palace has announced. The princess – who is fourth in line to the throne – was “safely delivered” at 08:34 BST, the palace said in a statement.
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth of the baby, who weighed 8lbs 3oz. Both Catherine and her daughter are “doing well”, the statement added. The name of the baby will be announced in due course.”
Update 1.04pm: Slideshow and photos below of the Regiment’s Gun Salute this afternoon
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Former residents Reverend and Ms Melbourne, who live in Spain and were on their first trip to the Island since they left in 1994, said they they enjoyed the ceremony.
Ms Melbourne, who was secretary to the Deputy Governor at Government House, while her husband was an Anglican priest at St John’s in Pembroke, said: “The ceremonial aspect of the Regiment is very important and they do it so well.”
Mr Fergusson added: “Bermuda does tradition brilliantly and once again we have marked a Royal event properly.
“The Town Crier was giving people the news this morning – they were getting the news live from the Town Crier.
Mr Fergusson added: “The Regiment has done us proud with some pageantry. It was a worthwhile celebration and it’s been done very well.”
Sergeant Major Walter Brangman, who is due to swap his ceremonial uniform for combat gear when he flies out for the Regiment’s annual overseas exercise at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina tomorrow morning, said gunners had been on standby all week.
He added: “I was surprised to see how many people there were there. With the End to End walk on, it was remarkable. And it’s nice the Governor came over and spoke to the guys – they appreciated it very much.”
Click to enlarge photos:
Some party poppers would work just as well and be a lot cheaper
Long live the Kings and Queens of Africa.
Jonathan will complain about them if they’re not elected by a vote of all residents.
Where day too those kings / queens, all dee countries monies in switzerland
*Yawn*
When my child is born, can I shoot off guns in celebration? I’m sure the Bermuda police won’t arrest me. Ohh the joys of imperialism…
If you have nothing sensible to say, better to stay quiet. Congratulations to the proud parents.
Fair enough. And seeing the only sensible reaction to the nonsense that is an unelected head of state is to advocate for a republic, I’m sure you’ll join me in calling for an end to the monarchy.
I’d like to wish her – and her family – a long and fulfilling life as a citizen in a democratic republic where everyone is born with equal political rights.
Get over it already.
And frankly, the Queen has done a phenomenal job. You should learn to be thankful.
I’m sayin tho, I looked and can’t find a single comment from ya boy about the PAC on Port Royal, yet he trolls the birth of a baby. Says nothing of the Emporer of Thailand, Saudi royalty…surely he believes there should be equal birth rights across the globe and not just what affects him, right?
I have written about the Port Royal Report on my site, and have also criticised the royalist military coup in Thailand, as well as criticised the Saudi monarchy. So perhaps you need to do better research…
Perhaps more importantly, it may have escaped your notice but we are British subjects and I’m writing explicitly about the fact that my head of state is unelected and is a fundamentally undemocratic institution.
I’d hardly call exercising my democratic rights to call for greater democracy ‘trolling’…
Get over a fundamentally undemocratic head of state of my country? Never.
I’ll be thankful of Mrs Windsor’s abdication and an end to the monarchy. That’s about all I can think ever being thankful of her for.
Mr. Starling, you are 100% correct. Monarchy is an outdated concept and many countries were smart enough to do away with it. It’s no disrespect to the Queen, Prince William or any of the royals but even they say they would respect the wishes of the people if it should be done away with. I think Prince William would be perfectly happy to lead a quiet, normal life.
On behalf of all who are pleased seeing the arrival of this little girl safe…Congratulation to her / family. Long Live The Queen!
And on behalf of all those who believe every child should be born with equal political rights, I welcome her to the world and look forward to an end to the monarchy and the beginning of a republic.
Down with the crown, up with the republic!
this is why you sir will never become an elected official.
Because I have a passionate belief that every child should be born with equal political rights if we are to call ourselves a democracy?
And that in a democracy the head of state should be elected and accountable to the people they represent?
Except that on the “equal political rights” part of it, you’re not quite sure.
Johnny if the majority of citizens would prefer to keep the current status quo, would that not be democracy in action?
Are you proposing that we should impose a republic irrespective of the will of the majority?
Johnny prefers the example of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
This is an extremely offensive and defamatory comment by someone hiding behind a fake name.
This is a baseless and insulting accusation.
If you disagree with my belief in the fundamental incompatibility of democracy and monarchy, that’s fine. Argue your point.
However, the minute you feel the need to engage in outrageous personal attacks is the minute you’ve conceded you’ve lost the argument and are just lashing out.
Mate if u get upset over personal insults u really need to keep your mouth out political affairs. Can dish all the critisism u can butbthe minute someone says something about you, you wanna cry about it. Yes we know u dont agree with the crown. So what? We all supposed to agree with u? The crown isnt going anywhere anytime soon so i suggest u get ready for the biggest celebration in its history as the queen is about to become the longest reigning monarch in english history. But im sure u will cry about that too.
Anbu, there is a fundamental difference between making a political argument and personal attacks.
If you, or others, disagree with my belief in democracy, that’s fine, argue against me.
But to engage in baseless personal attacks? That’s neither necessary or conducive to reasoned discourse.
Hardly baseless, Johnny. You are such a hypocrite, expounding your socialist views while taking everything you can as long as you don’t have to get a job and work for it.
You despise the Royals for their privileges of birth while at the same time using your own privileges of birth to claim free university education and voting rights in multiple countries.
On what bases do you justify the statement that I support the example of North Korea?
No where have I claimed free university education in the UK. I have the same rights as any other Bermudian studying in Scotland, and have used my savings, combined with scholarships earned on the basis of merit, to seek further education. Further education to use to return to Bermuda and benefit Bermuda. Further education of which I’ve also used to work here in Scotland, both contributing in terms of tax and to generate savings for further education.
If you disagree with me about democracy and the need for a republic, that’s fine. But have the courtesy to argue a counter-position rather than hide behind a pen-name and lob baseless personal attacks.
Equal rights says Johnny. This from a person who is Bermudian and has the vote in Bermuda, but also uses his UK status to vote in a Scottish referendum and UK General Elections. A man with two citizenships and at least two votes. This does not seem to be equal political rights.
Any Bermudian, or UKOTs citizen (or, I believe even a Commonwealth citizen) ordinarily resident in the UK for the purpose of post-graduate studies is entitled to the same rights as I.
I only have one citizenship – British. Bermuda is not an independent country; there’s only Bermudian status, not citizenship.
So can a British person resident in Bermuda vote? Or doesn’t democracy extend to one man one vote in Bermuda?
Hi Zevon,
For the sake of clarity, I’ve largely not replied to your repeated questions on this (on the precursor story to this) primarily because I see it as a deflection away from the focus on the inherent undemocratic nature of the monarchy.
I think it does raise an issue, and it’s one I admittedly have not fully investigated, certainly not to the point of being able to take a clear position on at this time.
The approach adopted by Martinique may be a model worth adapting for our own needs. I don’t know. I certainly feel that as long as we’re a British colony then we (Bermudian and ex-pat Briton alike) have the right to be represented in the British parliament. I imagine the easiest way to do that is for Bermuda to be a single constituency, sending a single MP. Now, whether those same ex-pat Britons should have a vote in domestic Bermudian elections, I certainly agree an argument could be made there accordingly.
As noted though, I am not able to take a clear position at this time, on that issue, but I will seek to review it. For the purpose of this article however, I do see it as a deflection and, with respect, will have to decline encouraging such a deflection/derailing further.
Starling , answer this. As you belive in equal rights at birth, should any child born in Bermuda be able to vote in Bermuda and also be Bermudian?
Yes or no?
You’ve asked me this identical question several times in the precursor article to this one, and I answered it then.
I do see this as an attempt at deflection however. It seems clear to me that you’ve given up trying to maintain your defense of a fundamentally undemocratic institution as the monarchy.
For the benefit of readers only – and noting that as I see this as an attempt to deflect – I’ve copied and pasted from my answer to your identical question earlier:
“I believe every child born in Bermuda and ordinarily resident here to the age of majority should indeed be Bermudian and thus able to vote in Bermudian elections.”
It is not a deflection. You criticise the UK as being undemocratic because it is a constitutional monarchy. But in Scotland every resident over 16 could vote, and you touted Scotland as a paragon of democracy tha Bermuda should follow.
Yet, on the issue of who should be able to vote, for some reason you have no answer. You deflect by pointing to Martinique.
One man one vote or not Jonathan?
In Scotland, the Constitutional Monarchy, the answer is yes.
Hi Zevon,
I’ve explained why I see it as a deflection. If you would like to continue this conversation I am always open to such, and my contact information is readily available – please email me and we can discuss it further.
As noted, I see it as a deflection to the discussion of the need for a republic, and will not be encouraging further deflection here.
All I will say is that as long as we’re discussing the head of state, then anyone who comes from a Commonwealth country, including existing UKOTs and Britons, that retains Mrs Windsor and her family as their head of state should have the right to elect their head of state under a republic.
@zevon. Good point. I would also expect Johnny to not have a UK Passport, but a Bermuda Passport, and when Scotland votes to leave the UK, he renounces his UK Citizenship, and his Bermuda Passport and takes up the Scottish Passport. Then if he wishes to return to Bermuda he can apply for a work permit. That would also end his dream of being elected as an MP in Bermuda.
Jonathan’s parents were British, and they gained Bermuda status. They would have UK passports. I believe he would be be in the same position, i.e. No risk of losing UK ciitizenship whatever happens here.
Just a point of correction – my parents never received Bermudian status. I have status as I was born in Bermuda and normally resident until the age of 18.
They did get PRC status and could have since applied for Bermudian status but chose not to.
what’s wrong with you? I would bet 1/2 of all Bermudians have rights in at least one other country. why don’t you take away the US passport many of our children have? nevermind, I now the answer, it’s only the UK you have an issue with.
Campervan, to date there’s not been a vote on the monarchy. One should also note that the monarchy has an active propaganda wing, funded using public monies, to put forth royalist propaganda. There’s also a distinct royalist propaganda in the major media. Give the republican cause the same funding and I’ll bet you a majority of people will agree an unelected head of state and unequal political rights at birth are incompatible with any notion of democracy, at a fundamental level.
Now, I’ve nowhere advocated the imposition of a republic. I’ve argued why a republic is democratic and a monarchy is fundamentally undemocratic, and I’ve expressed my hope for an end to the monarchy and the creation of a republic. That’s a far cry from advocating the imposition of a republic on anyone – although I do note the monarchy is imposed on us…
that is why you will never become an elected official
Seeing as you’re repeating yourself, I’ll do the same:
“Because I have a passionate belief that every child should be born with equal political rights if we are to call ourselves a democracy?
And that in a democracy the head of state should be elected and accountable to the people they represent?”
If things remain as they are, the Princess will have votes in UK elections only. She will also abstain as per Royal custom.
You get to vote in Bermuda, UK and on Scottish Independence.
You are the politically advantaged one.
So, shouldn’t we work to ensure the latest addition to the Windsor family the same political rights as every other citizen in a republic?
The argument that the Windsors’ are the disadvantaged ones is NOT an argument for keeping them in that situation; it’s an argument for ending it.
But not every other citizen has the right to vote currently, at least in Bermuda, and you are not sure whether it’s even important. Obviously the principle isn’t that important to you.
And in Scotland, the constitutional monarchy in which you reside and receive free education, you could vote, along with all other residents, in the case of the referendum. That’s “a resounding success for democracy”, you said at the time.
But when someone suggests the same is applied in Bermuda, you’re not sure. Haven’t thought about it. Can’t answer.
What is lost but found by others is the fact that the negative posters share a common background.
Go figure.
Truth is a . Deal with it.
I highly doubt that.
Agreed.
Republicanism isn’t confined to any one political ideology, and even supporters of the monarchy can raise an eyebrow over the use of public monies or the devotion of press coverage to this event.
Mr. Starling,
A number of people can’t stand the British Monarchy but I am sure that by far the majority of British and people of the world love it. The amount of money that is generated by the monarchy is incredible and the British people rather enjoy that aspect. If it wasn’t for the monerchy, tourism would be dead for Britain. You can rant and rave about them but I do think that you are wasting your time, it isn’t going to change in your life time. Really if it upsets you that much move to the US and give up your British citizenship and your Bda status.
Prince,
The amount of money that the monarchy generates is disputed, and the argument that they’re ‘value for money’ is more a produce of the taxpayer-funded monarchist propaganda. What is known is that the monarchy costs at least £300 million a year.
And people don’t come to the UK to see Mrs Windsor, they come to see historical monuments and tourism attractions. All of those will remain under a republic; if anything there will be more as the various palaces and the large amount of art-work they contain will now be available for display. Trooping the colours and other pomp can be retained and reworked under a republic.
If anything, a republic (which would cost less – the German presidency costs about £26m a year, the Polish presidency about £35m, the Portuguese presidency about £12m) will not only cost less to maintain, but provide a greater amount of revenue to the State.
At a much more fundamental issue however, are we really willing to maintain an undemocratic head of state and unequal political rights at birth, just for the sake of highly questionable claims of value for money? Value of money which seems quite patently false?
Now, sure, a majority of people with Mrs Windsor as their unelected head of state may well like her. Do they like her or the institution? Will that same appeal be there under a successor? How solid is that support? Often people are sort of lazy and just like the status quo without critically thinking of the pros and cons and alternatives.
I’m not ranting and raving, I’m clearly expressing why I’m fundamentally opposed to an undemocratic head of state and why I fundamentally believe all children should be born with equal rights. That position might not be popular, but I believe it is right.
I am Bermudian, and I am Scottish and British, both by birth and through my parents (UK PRCers). I have every right to advocate for a British republic. I love my country/countries and my heritage. Just because they have things I don’t agree with doesn’t mean I’m going to cut and run. It means, instead, that I’m going to work to improve them. Whether I succeed or not is neither here nor there (though hopefully I’ll help at least in a small way, if only to get some people stopping and thinking).
Ultimately, to me, advocating for democracy and a better world is never a waste of time.
UK (and Bermudian tourism at that) isn’t going to die simply because we change to a republic. If anything tourism will benefit.
Mr. Starling,
You are a dreamer, I hate to tell you that. There is nothing wrong with the Queen being head of state, she does not run the government. Now a days it is all to do with what she and the family does for Britain. Your impression is tainted and completely wrong. People will not want to go to the reposessed Republican palaces, well maybe a few of you. Hate to tell you tourists don’t just come to Bda because it has pretty beaches. No Bermuda tourism would not benefit if Britian became a republic.
As for you being a Bermudian, you just slipped in through the back door. You think that you are Bermudian, I hate to tell you the majority of us disagree.
You are rather mistaken about the full extent of the powers that Mrs Windsor has, however, at a fundamental level, all children should be born with equal political rights, and an unelected head of state does not allow that.
I don’t care if a British republic is a ceremonial republic like Germany or a strong executive like the French or US republic – that’s something that can be discussed later. What I do care about is that every child should have equal political rights and our head of state should be elected, not based on whose womb they’ve emerged from.
You really don’t think that the palaces and art currently only accessible to the monarchy won’t be of interest to tourists? Despite palaces and art museums being major tourist attractions? Really?
And I hate to tell you, but Britain becoming a republic won’t affect tourism in Bermuda one iota. We’d neither benefit or be hurt from the end of the monarchy.
As for your last comment, I’ll view it solely with the contempt it deserves. I take it then you’d share the same sentiment towards Minister Fahy then?
I have never heard of millions of people visiting Germany, Poland and Portugal to admire their Presidents, Palaces and works of art.
I have to say your vision of a Republican Utopia is just that. To say an elected Head of State is accountable to the voters is laughable. Once elected they will stay there until the next election at best. Democracy is a nice conception but it is a fallacy as it is an impossible ideal. Far too complicated to be debated here.
I would be more impressed with your situation if you decided upon one country/island/part of the UK you want to belong and have one vote. Hard to take you seriously when you stand as an MP in Bermuda (if elected how would you swear allegiance to the Queen?) and also vote for Scottish Independence.
Nor do you hear of people visiting the UK because they have a monarchy – at least no where outside of PR put out by the monarchy itself.
People will continue to visit Britian just as they continue to visit France and Germany, despite them long since discarding their monarchies. And just as former royal properties and art are major tourism attractions in these former monarchies (think the Versailles Palace or the Louvre), so will they visit former royal palaces and art collections in a British republic.
I am Bermudian, Scottish and British by birth. Even in the event of Bermudian independence I would retain British citizenship, though if I had to chose between citizenship of an independent Bermuda or retaining my UK citizenship by birth, I’ll chose Bermudian. Same if Scotland becomes independent and I’m forced to choose, I’ll take Scottish citizenship. However, this has absolutely nothing to do with the pros and cons of royalism/republicanism.
And that background is?
My how the standard of drill and dress has dropped from the regiment.
Now that the starling show has ended.. my congratulations to the couple…
As long as we’re forced to endure a royalist show, there’ll be a republican argument.
You could always go to a republic, like the USA, but of course you would have to pay for your own education, rather than the UK taxpayer picking up the bill.
The most hypocritical and corrupt country on the planet? I bet he would feel right at home.
If you just don’t watch it, you just might feel better and not have to get into an argument.
Yeah just turn off the telly and get the haggis on. No use gettin a wedgy in yet kilt.