ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Barbudan officials have announced that plans have been finalized for the official naming of Princess Diana Beach. On July 1, 2011, a beach that the Princess enjoyed will become an international landmark to honor her legacy as a global humanitarian and her special connection to Barbuda.

The proceedings officiated by Her Excellency Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack, will commence at 5:00pm. A billboard will be unveiled to officially name the beach which has remained virtually unchanged since the Princess’ last visit in April 1997.

The sunset ceremony will be staged on the shores near the former K Club Resort, referred to as Access Beach by locals. Barbudans who “waited on the princess” and government officials will share fond memories of Princess Diana’s visits to the island. There will be musical performances, readings and reflections to remember the “People’s Princess.”

Princess Diana’s legacy will be honored by floating 50 lighted lanterns to celebrate what would have been her 50th Birthday.  The flotilla of lanterns will be released in the ocean by local residents and government officials. This ritual will symbolize the destination’s support of Princess Diana’s global advocacy for many public health and social issues, outside the purview of traditional royal involvement. 

The eco friendly lanterns will represent a light of hope for peace and harmony and help spread Princess Diana’s message of building a peaceful future for all mankind.

Parliamentary representative for Barbuda, Hon. Trevor Walker said, “I look forward to Princess Diana Beach becoming a treasured international landmark that will give Barbuda a place in history. Princess Diana Beach will have global appeal and become a lasting memory of the hope that she provided for all.”

Councilwoman Beazer Williams said “Princess Diana Beach will become a tourist attraction that will help to generate interest in the seclusion and untamed beauty that Barbuda has to offer and help stimulate more business for the destination. The beach will become an emblem of our outstanding hospitality that inspired the Princess Diana’s four visits to Barbuda and the island’s recognition on the world map.


Floating Lantern Ceremony

The Barbuda Council has received several messages from government officials, residents and well wishers from around the world who are unable to attend the naming ceremony. These messages will be carefully placed on lanterns and floated off with the ensemble of lanterns in a ritual to help spread Princess Diana’s global message of respect and acceptance for all.



During the next year, a permanent monument will be erected and a promotional journal and island tour will showcase some of Princess Diana’s treasured memories in Barbuda via photos, stories and other mementos, provided by residents. A commemorative stamp will be released during Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence celebrations in November.

Diana, Princess of Wales was the patroness of charities and organizations working with the homeless, youth, drug addicts, victims of landmines, AIDS sufferers and the elderly. She transformed a royal family obligation into a personal calling. During her final year, her highly visible support for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 after her death.