On Monday, 5th July the Virgin Islands flag flew at the main entrance to the UK Parliament to commemorate Virgin Islands Day.

In April of 2021 the Speaker of the UK House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed an interest in fostering and developing relationships with all Overseas Territories and Representatives, and as a result, three national holidays, including Virgin Islands Day were celebrated by the UK Parliament.

As it was agreed upon, the Speaker of the House of Commons raised the Virgin Islands flag at the main entrance to Parliament in New Palace Yard. The Virgin Islands flag was presented to the Speaker of the House of Commons by the Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands was represented by Acting UK Representative Ms. Tracy Bradshaw of the London Office.

Ms. Bradshaw said she was "very proud" to see her nation’s flag flying in New Palace Yard to mark ‘Virgin Islands Day’.

Honourable Willock said, “As we continue to foster relationships between the House of Assembly and the UK House of Commons this is a step in the right direction in strengthening our partnership based on mutual respect for each other's institutions.”

"I look forward to taking up the invitation in 2022 to visit London to raise the flag in person," Honourable Willock further stated.

According to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s Twitter page he is quoted as saying, “It was an honour to meet representatives from the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands and be presented with their flags. They flew outside Parliament yesterday to mark Tynwald Day, Virgin Islands Day and Constitution Day.”

The Virgin Islands flag was raised on the first observation of Virgin Islands Day, recently known as Territory Day.

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Photo: Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Ms Tracy Bradshaw pose for a photo as the UK Parliament celebrates Virgin Islands Day by hoisting the VI Flag.

Photo Credit: © UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor (Attribution 3.0 Unported [CC BY 3]).