The State Opening of Parliament this morning was a subdued version of the pomp and pageantry to which Barbadians have become accustomed on such an occasion, all because of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
There were no cheering party supporters outside the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St Michael, as a result of the COVID-19 protocols that were in place.
However, Governor General Dame Sandra Mason helped to provide the splendour customarily associated with the event, when she alighted from the vehicle resplendent in a gold ensemble, trimmed with black and white and accessorised with a gold pillbox hat, decorated with black accents.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley wore a Pauline Bellamy-designed dress with brocaded overcoat.
They were joined by Members of Parliament, senators, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests in the Senate for the Governor General’s delivery of the Throne Speech at today’s historic event.
LESC, through proclamation by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, was appointed as the place where the second session of Parliament should commence.
It is the one occasion when both Houses meet together.The LESC’s Frangipani Room was transformed into the Senate Chamber while the Flamboyant Room was reconfigured as the Chamber of the House of Assembly.
Mottley announced last month that Parliament would be prorogued and a new session would start on September 15.
“The Government has determined that it is necessary that we take fresh guard. The Parliament of Barbados will be prorogued on the 8th of August, 2020, with us resuming in a new session on the 15th of September with a new Throne Speech and with a new direction as to where we must go in order to meet these extraordinarily different circumstances from the original Throne Speech of two years ago,” Mottley said. (KG)
