Dear Editor,
The movement of time allows those whose objective is to be right, and veer away from truth, an opportunity to do so. This week, I have held my peace in the run-up to and during the visit of His Gracious Majesty King Charles III. His previous visit in February 2000, was pleasant, as Mayor, along with fellow councillors we were happy to welcome the royal visitor and grant him, the traditional freedom of the city, the Golden Key.
I recall the official ceremony at City Hall to welcome the royal visitor to the capital, and will share this anecdote. My wife Doctor Jennifer Basdeo-Green could not be present, so I was accompanied by my last daughter, Jubilante-Deo Sundiata Green. Her task was to assist in handing over the Golden Key to the Prince. Just a few days away from her sixth birthday, Jubie was well known to say the wrong things, and to make trite remarks, sometimes to the amusement and embarrassment of her parents. So, on this and other occasions she was told of the value of silence, in the presence of VIPs. While the programme was proceeding, I do not know how Jubie was able to utilise her recently acquired dancing skills, and found herself facing and making eye-contact with the prince, unabashed after making eye-contact, she said, “Prince, how is your mother?” After a split-second recovery, the prince looked at Jubie with her thick, bushy hair, and with regal elegance, replied, ‘Thank you, she is alright.” The rest of the programme proceeded according to protocol.
Sincerely,
Elder Hamilton Green
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