Island Governor Her Excellency Alida Francis presented Royal Decorations to five residents of St. Eustatius on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Mike van Putten Youth Centre. On behalf of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, these awards recognise their longstanding and distinguished voluntary contributions to the community across key sectors of society.
The honourees are:
- Ingrid Filomena Whitfield, appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
- George Russell Courtar, Mrs. Ramonia Othelia Hendrickson-Duinkerk, Mr. Leoncio Zhivago Lopes, and Mr. Maldwyn Ogilvy Timber, each appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
“This year we can truly say that it rains ribbons on St. Eustatius,” the Island Governor stated. In her address, she noted that the presentation of Royal Decorations follows a longstanding tradition of recognising individuals for outstanding contributions to society. She congratulated all recipients and thanked the St. Eustatius Royal Decoration Committee for their guidance.
The Honourees:
- Ingrid Whitfield: Recognised for her pioneering leadership as the first female Commissioner and one of the first female Island Council members, advancing women’s empowerment and social welfare.
- George Courtar: Honoured for over three decades of service to the Roman Catholic Parish, assisting residents with farming, repairs, and community needs.
- Ramonia Hendrickson-Duinkerk: Recognised for community service and cultural preservation, being the first woman to join the local Lions Club and a dedicated calypsonian.
- Leoncio Lopes: Honoured for contributions to music and youth mentorship, specifically through the Youth Calypso Competition and sports.
- Maldwyn Timber: Recognised for over 25 years of service in music and sound engineering, providing technical support to churches, schools, and community events.
The ceremony is part of an annual tradition across the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where approximately 3,300 individuals are recognised for exceptional service.
