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Royal honours in the Caribbean Netherlands

Honours are awarded to people who have made a special or exceptional contribution to society. They are also available for residents of Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.

For example:

  • Long-time volunteers in organisations in the field of sports, art, culture, religion, conservation, foster care or public order and safety;
  • People who have performed special services to society, either through their paid work or in an outside activity, by going above and beyond what was expected of them.
Koninklijke onderscheiding 2022
Image: Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire
In April 2022 Lucresia Martis Dortalina, Marian Luinstra Passchier and Caryl Els received a royal honour from Governor Edison Rijna.

Nominating someone for a royal honour

Honours nominations for residents of Bonaire or Saba can be submitted to the Governor of the island. In St Eustatius, this is done via the Royal Decoration Committee.

The Governor forwards the nomination and their recommendation to the Kingdom Representative for Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, based in Bonaire. The Kingdom Representative then in turn submits the nomination to the Civil Honours Council, together with their recommendation and that of the Governor. On the basis of these recommendations, the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations then decides whether a decoration should be awarded. If the decision is positive, the minister will submit the nomination to His Majesty the King.

Royal honour Statia
Image: Statia Government
In April 2022 seven Statian residents received a royal honour from Government Commissioner Alida Francis. In photo from left to right : Irving Brown, Ethelda Woodley- Warner, Rita Hassell Bass, Goverment Commissioner Alida Francis, George Odongo Wodbura, Arlene Cuvalay-Halbert, Pamela Berkel and Althea Merkman.

Contact details for Bonaire

Office of the clerk to the island executive
Attn: Governor Edison Rijna
Plaza Reina Wilhelmina 1
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Email: kabinet.gezaghebber@bonairegov.com (cc: decoratiecommissiebonaire@gmail.com)

Contact details for St Eustatius

Royal Decoration Committee
Email: royal.dec.comm@statiagov.com

Contact details for Saba

Office of the clerk to the island executive
Attn: Governor Jonathan Johnson
Power Street 1
The Bottom
Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
Email: jonathan.johnson@sabagov.nl

Contact details for the Kingdom Representative for Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba

Interim Kingdom Representative Jan Helmond MPM
Attn: Secretariat
Bulevar Gobernador Nicolaas Debrot 46
Kralendijk
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Email:  rijksvertegenwoordiger@rijksdienstcn.com
Tel.: +599 (0) 715 8304

Nomination form

You can also use the nomination form if you want to nominate someone for a royal honour.