The history of Royal Visits to Grenada, by numerous members of the Royal Family, is a long one, both before and after independence. Royal visits are a way for the Crown and the Royal Family to meet and connect more closely with the peoples of the Commonwealth, and for the host country to share and display their culture, heritage and produce to the world.
Pre-Independence
1880 – King George V and Prince Albert Victor
The first well documented royal visit to Grenada was in January 1880 by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George (the future King George V, grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II). The Princes arrived in Saint George’s on 29 January 1880 on board HMS Bucchante, and were greeted by large crowds of Grenadians. The Princes noted that Grenadians were “dressed up in as many colours as dress will admit of, and as many ornaments as they can carry and still performing”.
1950 – Princess Alice
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and her husband visited Grenada in 1950, and opened Princess Alice Hospital in Saint Andrew.
1955 – Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, visited Grenada in 1955, undertaking an investiture ceremony at Government House and attending a church service in the St. George’s Anglican Church.
1960 – Princess Mary
Princess Mary, the Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth’s aunt, visited Grenada in 1960. During her visit she visited Carriacou, and attended a renaming ceremony at the Carriacou Hospital, which was renamed Princess Royal Hospital.
1966 – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
The first visit by a reigning monarch to Grenada came in 1966, when Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Grenada during their tour of the Caribbean. The Queen and Duke drove in an open car through the streets of St. George’s, before conducting a tour of Saint George’s General Hospital. They were subsequently received with an agricultural exhibition at Queen’s Park, which presented the best of Grenada’s produce. Following this, the royal couple drove around Grenada, visiting various villages and parts of the island.
Post-independence
1974 – Prince Richard (cancelled)
A planned visit by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Queen Elizabeth’s cousin) to celebrate Grenadian independence was cancelled due to the unstable political situation at the time.
1985 – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
The first royal visit to Grenada after independence came in 1985, 2 years after the American intervention, when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh once again visited. They were received in St. George’s harbour by a 21-gun salute from Fort George, before being greeted by Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon and Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. During this visit, the Queen undertook an investiture ceremony at Government House, and formally opened the Grenadian parliament.
2003 – Prince Edward
Prince Edward, the Queen’s youngest son, visited in 2003 to present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to Grenadian youths.
2004 – Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, visited Grenada in February 2004. He visited the Dorothy Hopkins Home and Grenada Boy’s Secondary school.
2004 – Prince Edward
Prince Edward returned to Grenada a year later, after the devastation of Hurricane Ivan. He toured the island, visiting the ruins of Government House and the Grenada Electricity Company. He later toured St. George’s, visiting the ruins of York House, the Catholic Cathedral and St. George’s Anglican Church. After this, he met with victims of the Hurricane.
2011 – Princess Anne
Anne, the Princess Royal, the daughter of the Queen, visited Grenada in 2011 to present Duke of Edinburgh awards to young Grenadians, and then partook in an Emerging Leadership Dialogue.
2012 – Prince Edward and Sophie
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie visited Grenada in 2012 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. They met young Grenadian students, attended a youth rally, viewed an art exhibition, and unveiled a plaque to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee outside the Ministerial Complex in the Botanical Gardens.
2015 – Princess Anne
Anne, the Princess Royal, again visited Grenada in 2015 to present Duke of Edinburgh awards to young Grenadians. She thereafter attended an event at the University of St. George’s.
2016 – Prince Harry
Prince Harry visited Grenada in 2016 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. He attended a sporting event at Queen’s Park, visited Grand Anse beach to hear about the impacts of climate change and Hurricane Ivan. During the visit, the Prince announced the Royal Household Caribbean Hospitality Scholarship.
2019 – King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The King and Queen Camilla (then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall) visited Grenada in 2019 during their tour of the Eastern Caribbean. The royal couple were received at the Houses of Parliament, with the King receiving the salute of and inspecting the Royal Grenada Police Force. The King, alongside Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade, proceeded to the ruins of Government House and planted a ceremonial tree. The King, Queen and Governor-General then attended celebrations along the Carenage, visited local exhibitions and the House of Chocolate. The King subsequently attended a round table discussion on the development of Grenada’s sustainable Blue Economy.
2022 – Prince Edward and Sophie (cancelled)
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie were due to visit Grenada again in 2022 to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but the visit was postponed indefinitely last minute for still unknown reasons.
Grenada Monarchist League 