The Queen's role
As Queen of The Bahamas, Her Majesty plays an important ceremonial and symbolic role in the country, although she is not involved in the day-to-day business of The Bahamas’ Government.
On a day-to-day basis, The Queen is represented in The Bahamas by a Governor-General, with whom she stays in close contact via her Private Secretaries.
The Queen's Royal style and title in The Bahamas is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth.
Royal visits
The islands were first visited by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh during their Caribbean tours of 1966 and 1975, and during the Silver Jubilee tour in 1977. Since then, Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family have paid many visits to these island communities, strengthening the relationship between them and their Monarchy.
The Queen returned to Nassau for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 1985, and then again in March 1994.
In 1973, The Prince of Wales attended celebrations to mark the country's independence and its joining of the Commonwealth.
In 2012, Prince Harry visited the islands, during his tour of the Caribbean for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. As part of his visit, he attended a National Youth Rally, opened a Jubilee exhibition in honour of The Queen, and met school children on Harbour Island.
"I am truly sad to leave and can't thank you enough for such a memorable tour. I was so lucky to be able to visit a number of your beautiful islands, and to meet so many friendly Bahamians"
In 2015 The Princess Royal visited The Bahamas as part of her visit to the Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue and The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited in 2016. The Earl met recipients of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, and The Countess met school children at a Centre for Autism.
The Queen's Young Leaders
One of the Queen's Young Leaders of 2015 was Bahamian Alicia Wallace, who joined talented young people from across the Commonwealth in being celebrated for their inspirational work.
Alicia supports other women to reach their potential and play a full role in society. Alicia is director of Hollaback! Bahamas, a global movement to end street harassment.
