Little did Antigua & Barbuda’s Karl James know when he started sailing at age 12, the sport would take him to the throne room at UK’s Windsor Castle for a high honor bestowed by the Prince of Wales. This seemingly fairytale, which acknowledges James’ thirty-plus years of dedicated service to Sailing and National Development in the two-island Caribbean nation, came true on February 8, when at a formal investiture ceremony, he received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
“I am deeply honored and proud to have been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II to receive this award in recognition for my years of devotion to the development of sailing in Antigua. I was included on the Queen’s Honours List to receive the MBE in 2020, but the global pandemic prevented the ‘in person’ ceremony at Windsor Castle until now. To have the opportunity to visit the Castle, meet HRH Prince Charles, and chat with him about sailing in Antigua, was a unique privilege I will never forget. From the start of my sailing career as a young Antiguan athlete, the priority for me has always been to represent my country of Antigua & Barbuda well. I will continue to serve Antigua & Barbuda in this regard to the best of my ability, as a sailing instructor, athlete, coach, and now as President of the Antigua & Barbuda Sailing Association,” says Karl James.
Karl James, a two-time Olympian in the Laser class, is the second Antiguan athlete to be honored by the Queen, the first being cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards. www.facebook.com/AntiguaSailing/
If you like this, you’ll love:
- Perseverance and Preservation – Foxy Callwood MBE
- A Castle on the Sea
- A Cruise on the Picton Castle
- New Dock at the James Island Yacht Club
