Cayman: Sir Alden’s Knighthood
From The Progressives
Sir Alden McLaughlin Travels to London
On Saturday, Sir Alden McLaughlin travelled to London to receive his appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony begins at 10am Tuesday (London time), and will be attended by his wife Lady Kim, and sons Daegan and Caelan.
A few Progressives members and friends have travelled with the family, including the Hon Roy McTaggart.
We all wish Sir Alden, Lady Kim, their family, and those accompanying them best wishes and safe travels home later this week.
A historic award for our islands
Governor Roper announced Sir Alden’s knighthood in December 2021. When making the announcement, he noted:
“… this is an outstanding personal achievement for former Premier McLaughlin, one of the most important and impactful political leaders in Cayman over the last 21 years. It is a significant moment for our islands. This historic award is only the second ever Knighthood to a Caymanian since the first in the 1990s”.
The Governor said the bestowing of the knighthood on Sir Alden was a “strong signal of the respect in which Cayman is held and a visible demonstration of the progress Cayman has made as a vibrant democracy with strong good governance foundations”.
He also stated: “The award reflects former Premier McLaughlin’s distinguished Parliamentary and Ministerial career over 21 years with two successful terms as Premier, ushering in a period of stability, economic growth and sound financial management. Former Premier McLaughlin made important contributions to Cayman’s constitutional development, including significant advances in 2019 reinforcing Cayman’s autonomy over domestic affairs.”
An achievement we can all celebrate
Governor Roper highlighted that former Premier McLaughlin “was the pivotal figure leading Cayman’s response to the Covid pandemic”. He also commended Sir Alden on his representation of our Islands on the global stage, including robust support for Cayman’s world-class financial services industry.
Concerning relationships with the UK, the Governor said that Sir Alden had “… enjoyed constructive relationships with UK Ministers, earning their respect and trust, working tirelessly to do his utmost for the people of Cayman,” and added that this recognition “… is an excellent day for Cayman and is an achievement we can all celebrate”.
Following the announcement, Premier Panton agreed with the Governor on the achievements of Sir Alden and stated, “This is a day of celebration and great pride for all Caymanians as a son of our soil has been bestowed one of the highest honours in becoming only the second Caymanian to be knighted nearly 28 years after the late Sir Vassel Johnson received his knighthood in 1994.”
We certainly agree that this is a proud day that all Caymanians can celebrate.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon Roy McTaggart also commended Sir Alden’s achievements, saying: “This honour is a proud moment for our former Premier and his family, as well as for every Caymanian. For us members of the Progressives it is also a special moment. As a founding member of the Peoples Progressive Movement, Sir Alden, along with the Hon Kurt Tibbetts, played a significant role in starting and developing the Progressives. It was Kurt as Leader of the Party who led the Progressives into Government in 2005 and it was Sir Alden, as Kurt’s successor, who led the Progressives into Government in 2013 and again in 2017. All three Progressives Governments made significant contributions to modernising our constitution, our politics, our physical infrastructure, as well as developing our economy.”
Below is a video statement from Roy McTaggart from January 6, 2022, regarding the award of the KCMG to Sir Alden Mclaughlin.
