Royal Household Caribbean Hospitality Scholarship

Over six weeks, eight scholars from across the Caribbean have had the opportunity to join the Master of the Household's Department at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Announced by The Duke of Sussex in November 2016 during his tour of the Caribbean, the scholarship has provided an opportunity for passionate and skilled hospitality professionals from the Caribbean Realms to learn new skills.

We hope that the Royal Household will be able to share some of the skills and knowledge we have in this area with those working in the industry across the Caribbean.  This is a new initiative that will build on the warm friendship between Her Majesty's Caribbean Realms. - The Duke of Sussex

The aim of the Scholarship is to develop individuals' skills through practical experience and to exchange knowledge between the scholars and the Royal Household.

The Caribbean Scholars meet Prince Harry

The programme has also provided an opportunity to find new ways of improving the Royal Household's processes, whilst sharing knowledge and experience and building relationships with the wider commonwealth.

The scholars spent six weeks at the Royal Household and assisted in delivering a complex programme of Royal events, which culminated in the delivery of Royal Ascot week at Windsor Castle in June 2017.

Meet the Scholars

Based on their applications and interests, the scholars were allocated to different areas of the Master of the Household's Department; the Housekeeping team, the Front of House team and the Royal Kitchen.

The scholars have come from eight different Caribbean Commonwealth nations; Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Caribbean Scholar Claudine from Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean Scholar Jared from The Bahamas
Caribbean Scholar Johnathan from Barbados
Caribbean Scholar Michelle from Belize

Claudine - Antigua and Barbuda

Claudine is very passionate about hospitality and especially housekeeping.  Her goal is to become Director of Housekeeping one day, and wants to develop her career in the Caribbean.

Jared - The Bahamas

Jared is keen to broaden his experience by taking part in the scholarship so that he can share these skills with his team of eight chefs.  

Johnathan - Barbados

 Johnathan hopes to work in the tourism and hospitality industry in Barbados when he has finished his studies.

Michelle - Belize

Michelle hopes that the scholarship will give her more experience in event management, as she hopes one day to own her own events agency.

Caribbean Scholar Rusheda from Jamaica
Caribbean Scholar Akeem from St. Kitts and Nevis
Caribbean Scholar Sema from St. Lucia
Caribbean Scholar Moriba from St. Vicent and the Grenadines

Rusheda - Jamaica

Rusheda wants to one day become a Hotel Manager and hopes the scholarship will provide her with new skills in order to realise this aspiration.

Akeem - St. Kitts and Nevis

Akeem is looking forward to the scholarship to broaden his understanding of the hospitality industry and the way in which events are delivered in the Royal Household.

Sema - St. Lucia

 Sema's passion is baking and decorating cakes, and she hopes to develop her skills in the Pastry Kitchen at Buckingham Palace amongst other areas while working with us.

Moriba- St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Moriba wants to develop his skills in all areas of hospitality, and particularly in housekeeping, and sees the scholarship as a great opportunity to learn new skills and experience new ways of working.  

Scholars were encouraged to develop their ability in a specific area, learning and implementing the techniques developed by the Royal Household.

They also had the opportunity to make connections with industry leaders, and spend time working with specialist suppliers, enhancing their understanding of the hospitality industry.

The Caribbean Scholars at work

After a busy 6 weeks, the scholars were invited to a reception to celebrate their achievements and were presented with a certificate by The Master of The Household, Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt. 

The Caribbean Scholars receive their certificates
In recognition of the scholars hard work representing their nations, the High Commissioners of each participating country also attended the reception - congratulations to all involved!

The Masters of the Household's Department handles everything involved with hospitality, catering and housekeeping across the Royal Household. As such, their diverse team includes everyone from florists and upholsterers, to specialist craftspeople and caterers.

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