Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, will be on official duty travel from Saturday, 7 September 2024, to Saturday, 14 September 2024. During this period, Premier Wheatley will attend high-level bilateral meetings with the new Government of the United Kingdom.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, will also be away from the Territory for the same period, attending the aforementioned meetings in the United Kingdom. The Deputy Premier is scheduled to return on Sunday, 15 September 2024.

In light of their absence, Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communication and Works, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from 7 September to 14 September 2024. Honourable Rymer's appointment is in accordance with the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, Section 55 (2), which states, “If both the Premier and the Deputy Premier are expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise another Minister designated by the Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of either the Premier or the Deputy Premier.”

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to strengthening its relationship with the United Kingdom and furthering the Territory's development through these significant engagements.