Good morning. As Governor of the Virgin Islands, it is my great pleasure to welcome you here today to this very special event.

When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth launched the Gold Coast Queens Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace on 13 March, it began an historic journey that will span 388 days, 71 countries and more than 200,000 miles before reaching the Gold Coast. For the next two days, it is the turn of BVI to play host to the Baton and the schedule will allow communities on Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda all to get involved.

As it travels around the Territory, the Baton will bring with it a little of the excitement of the Games and of the Queen’s message – contained within the Baton but which will not be read until the Opening Ceremony in Australia on 4 April next year.

The Queen's Baton Relay unites the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace. Every time the Baton is passed, it reinforces the friendship that remains steadfast among Commonwealth nations. Being a part of that is something BVI can be proud of.

We wish the Queen’s Baton Relay team all the very best whilst they are here in BVI and as they travel through the diverse Commonwealth, carrying this message of unity through sport.