Thirty-four residents are newly registered as British citizens after previously being naturalised as British overseas territory citizens, government announced.
During a ceremony on Sept. 8 at Government House, they recited the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King and the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.
They also received congratulations from Governor John Rankin and Registrar General Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.
“You have shown your commitment to the United Kingdom, your knowledge of its history, its institutions, and its language,” Mr. Rankin said. “There are already strong links between the United Kingdom and the British Virgin Islands. You are now part of those links.”
Ms. O’Flaherty-Maduro congratulated the citizens for completing what can be a lengthy process, and she explained that they now have the right to hold a British passport and to live in the UK.
She also reminded them that they will be expected to favourably represent the UK in their conduct, speech and actions, according to government.
According to the British Nationality Act, individuals who are naturalised as British OT citizens after May 21, 2002 can apply to the UK government to be registered as British citizens.