Governor-General’s Medal of Honour Presented to 32 Recipients

Thirty-two individuals and entities have been presented with the Governor-General’s Medal of Honour for their outstanding service and valuable contributions to King’s House, since the Head of State’s tenure began in February 2009.

Among the recipients of medals, which were presented by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on Thursday (December 14), were a Privy Councillor, current and former Chiefs of Defence Staff and Police Commissioners, and the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

Medals were also presented to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Chiefs of State Protocol and Secretaries General, an orator, benefactors, the Advisory Board of the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence, the Governor-General Jamaica Trust, King’s House Foundation, contributors to the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence, and the King’s House Residential Police.

In his address, the Governor-General noted that the recipients have been a pillar of support to his office in many profound ways.

He thanked them for their dedication, highlighting that their commitment to the social outreach programmes has enabled King’s House to impact the lives of many Jamaicans.

“The medals symbolise our gratitude for the immeasurable impact each one of you has had on this institution. For the late nights and long hours that you spent to ensure that we achieved our mission, the times you went above and beyond the call of duty, the efforts you made to reshape your budgets to include King’s House and our outreach programmes, the ideas that you brought to life [and] the policies that you helped us to shape to make the organisation operate smoothly,” the Governor-General shared.

He further said the recipients turned challenges into opportunities, resulting in growth and greater efficiency at King’s House.

“Today is a testament to the fact that faithful work doesn’t go unnoticed. I am very grateful to our awardees, for your passion, your drive, your faithful service and the contributions over the years,” the Governor-General said, adding that they have been and will continue to be the heartbeat of King’s House.

Late Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her 60th (Diamond) Jubilee in 2012, gave permission for the medals to be struck for service to her through her de facto Heads of State, the Governors-General in the Caribbean countries, namely Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The medals should have been presented during The Queen’s 70th (Platinum) Jubilee in 2022, but she transitioned before the presentation could be made.

One hundred medals were struck to be awarded in Jamaica.