London, 28 July 2012. His Excellency Dr Nicholas Liverpool, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Mrs Verna Liverpool, First Lady of the Commonwealth of Dominica, were invested as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star and the Gold Benemerenti Medal respectively into the internationally recognised Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the Royal Order of Francis I at an Investiture ceremony presided held at Stationers’ Hall in London. The Grand Master of the Order, HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro presided.
The Order’s Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, OBE, GCSS, delivered an opening speech outlining the reasons for the award.
“Dr Liverpool has many links with the United Kingdom: he received his law degree from Hull and was called to the Bar not far from here, in the Inner Temple, and received his doctorate from the University of Sheffield.”
“Before he turned to the governance of his beautiful volcanic island in the east Caribbean, Dr Liverpool has had a distinguished career as a jurist across the region. He has served as a Judge of the High Court in both Antigua and Montserrat and an Appeal Court judge in Grenada, Belize and the Bahamas; and he has served on a number of tribunals and commissions for legal reform, as well as being Ambassador to the United States.”
“He has been President of Dominica since 2003. We want to pay tribute to you, Your Excellency, for your integrity and your fidelity to the rule of the law, and for the example which you give as a Catholic statesman governing for the common good of your people. And we look forward to deepening our collaboration in the years to come. It is therefore my great pleasure to invite Your Excellency to stand and receive the Insignia of Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.”
His Excellency Dr Nicholas Liverpool, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica gave a short speech after his investiture:
“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“It gives me great pleasure to accept this prestigious award from a very ancient and distinguished Order and I do so with humility, gratitude and pride.
“I have paused to wonder why I have been singled out for this great honour which has just been bestowed upon me for my contribution to faith, justice and public service. My contributions to justice and the public service are well documented. Since obtaining my first qualifications in Hull just over 50 years ago, I have endeavored to do my best to assist in the dispensation of justice wherever my travels have taken me, but in particular in my corner of the world the countries bordering on the Caribbean sea.
“In so far as public service is concerned, my burning desire has always been to place whatever talent and skills that I possess at the disposal of mankind, wherever the opportunity has arisen, and for this I feel rather proud. But it is my abiding faith which has carried me throughout all the years and I give thanks and praise to the Almighty for guiding me to accomplish my goals. I do sincerely believe that man is able to accomplish wonderful things if he places his faith, as I certainly do, in the amazing powers of the Almighty.
“I wish to thank His Excellency The Grand Magisterial Delegate, Mr Anthony Bailey, and Baroness Scotland for their recommendation. His Eminence The Grand Prior for his decision to favour me, and His Royal Highness The Grand Master for presenting me with this high honour. Thank you.”
An additional Benemerenti Medal was granted to Mrs Janet Charles, Acting High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the Court of St James’s.
The ceremony was attended by over 250 leading state, faith, diplomatic, and parliamentary figures from across the world.
A Guard of Honour by the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, Body Guards to the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the city of London were on parade by permission of the Captain Commanding.
To watch the speech, click here.
