The Rum Posse met once again last week as has been the norm for several years now and this time it was by Big Bottom Beverly, big sister to another one of its members, Shirley. The other members present at Beverley’s were Alfred; Anand and his wife, Rihanna; Balkie; Barman; Ramesh; Roshan and Sunil.
Coming out of Big Bottom Beverly’s kitchen, was what could, by any standards, be considered a first-class menu comprising of sauteed provision; ochro rice; chow mein noodles; potato salad; Chinese style chicken; stew chicken; stew fish; sweet and sour pork and a tomato and cucumber salad. A real callaloo (minus the callaloo) of cultures according to Alfred. In the bar, the usual drinks – alcoholic and non-alcoholic – were in abundance as well as a few bottles of home-made wine.
There were any number of topics they could have discussed, including the fallout between San Fernando East MP Brian Manning and former members of the San Fernando East PNM constituency executive; the continuing poor performance of the TKR team in the CPL; the Silent Fireworks Independence Day Celebrations; the opening of the newly-constructed police posts; the appointment of six new Permanent Secretaries; and the termination of more than 1000 “ten-on, ten -off” workers employed by the Tobago House of Assembly. The Posse members decided, however, that their discussion should take on a lighter tone this week. Therefore, after reading an article on Page 47 in the Daily Express Thursday, 27 August 2026 headlined, “King Charles to visit Caribbean countries” and with Trinidad and Tobago not being included in the list of countries, they decided to express their dismay.
The Daily Express reported that Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries in October 2026 as part of a week-long tour. The Royal Couple will visit The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guyana, with their visit to Nassau taking place ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4. The visit to The Bahamas will be King Charles III’s first since he ascended the throne in 2022. He will also visit Guyana at the invitation of Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and at the request of the UK Government.
Big Bottom Beverly: Well, at last. Is so long allyuh was last here that I and all cyah even remember. But never mind. The important thing is that allyuh here and as Barman does say, you come not only for a long time, but for a good time as well.
Barman: That is true Bev. And since is my name you call, I will take on the job of observing protocol and thank you most kindly for having us at your lovely home today. It is always our pleasure to be entertained by the Triple B. So, hear nah. What it is with King Charles? Why he and Queen Camilla not coming to Trinidad and Tobago? What we do he so? Like we not important enough or what? Since I hear de news I trying to figure out he reasoning.
Balkie: Barman, boy. I and all was wondering. Is like since we oil money done, we not important and we not in “bodow” as de ole folks used to say. And I also feel dem English people and dem not too happy that we get so close to Trump and America. Doh say I say eh, but ah hear dat in de corridors of power in England dey does call we de 51st US state. Is not really Canada, is Trinidad and Tobago; and so dey eh want nothing to have to do with we.
Shirley: Nah man. Dat cyah be true. I know my grandmother and dem singing “God Save the King” since King Charles III grand father, George VI became King of England on 11 December, 1936 until his death in 1952. Even after he dead, when Elizabeth II became Queen from February 6, 1952 until her death in 2022, people was singing the same song. Even when we became independent in 1962, people still had dat song in dey mind. Now, all we getting for that loyalty is a “bye-bye” from King Charles? Dat hard to believe.
Alfred: Fuh real, Shirls gyurl. We people loyal for so long. It have some old people who is over 90 years old now and remembering dem days. I remember as a lil boy having to learn to sing “God save the Queen” and now I must feel “ah how” that instead of King Charles appreciating all of that loyalty, he bypassing we straight just so.
Rihanna: You know what more hurtful, Alfie? The Royal Couple have to pass over we country to go Guyana. They could ah do a little layover. Listen to some soca and calypso; beat a tassa and steelpan; try ah doubles from Munesh in D’abadie or bake and shark from Uncle Sam in Maracas. Dem eh want dat. They prefer to go Guyana and eat pepper pot with President Irfaan.
Anand: I don’t understand allyuh. King Charles III mother, Queen Elizabeth, in her 70-year reign visited this country three times – in 1966; in 1985; and in 2009. She did bypass plenty countries then. I wouldn’t know, but I eh think dem countries complain. So, why we must complain? She didn’t go Guyana in 2009. The last time English royalty was there was in 1994. What is de fuss about?
Ramesh: We not really complaining Anand. We just expressing disappointment and a little bit of shock that we get left out this rounds. Especially at a time I feel when we need all de international friends we could get. Things eh so hot with we now, is all ah really saying. Look how American Deputy Under-Secretary come here two weeks ago bearing good news for the steel mill? That little visit lifted our spirits. I feel that that if King Charles and Queen Camilla did come, it would ah have de same effect.
Sunil: Anand, this time I with you. Is because we like too much ah confusion. King Charles eh coming here, so what? Come here to see what? A capital city in total decline? Traffic gridlock for miles upon miles? Flooding whenever it have ah lil drizzle? Murders and home invasions? Youths roaming the country looking for work? Uncollected garbage strewn all over de place? Potholes ever more? The list long. Why allyuh eh say thank God King Charles and he wife chose to bypass this country!
Balkie: Sunil, now that yuh put it so, maybe is really a good thing dey not coming. And coming to think of it. If they were coming here, we would ah have to spend ah set ah money, money that we doh really have, sprucing up de place, planning state visit and dinner here, there, and everywhere. Children have to take time from school; blocking road to clear de way for de royal entourage. Is a blessing in disguise that dey ent passing through here.
Big Bottom Beverly: While His and Her Royal Majesties not coming here may be a blessing in disguise, it have no disguising the blessings that allyuh will bestow upon this food and drinks that waiting on allyuh.
Until next week.
