Tristan da Cunha Government News Abroad

Tristan prominent in Whitehall Garden of Remembrance

Report and photographs from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy

A simple wooden cross in Westminster conveys the gratitude of Tristan da Cunha to those who fought and fell in Britain's armed conflicts.

I was honoured to take part in the formal opening of the House of Commons Gardens of Remembrance, in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament, on 2nd November 2026.

Chris at the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance

Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, Commonwealth nations and UK constituencies will all be part of the field of crosses, as the nation prepares for Remembrance Sunday and the commemorations of 11th November.

Among MPs at the event was Al Carns, the Royal Marines veteran who as the previous Armed Forces minister personally authorised the parachute drop of military medics and vital equipment into Tristan in May.

Chris placing the Tristan da Cunha cross	Chris with MP Al Carns

Tristan da Cunha represents our wider Territory at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on alternate years: this year the wreath will be laid by St Helena, while on Tristan a special service at St Mary's church will be followed by a ceremony at the flagpole outside the Prince Philip Hall.

Chief Islander welcomes new UK minister

Report and images from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan's Chief Islander has given a warm welcome to the UK's new minister for the Overseas Territories.

Councillor Ian Lavarello wrote a letter of congratulation when Uma Kumaran MP was appointed to her post within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office team. Then on 5th August 2026 he had the chance to convey his message in person, by video link from the island's Council chamber.

Ian Lavarello taking part in the video-link from the Tristan Council Chamber.

In a call between minister Kumaran and the OTs' elected leaders, Ian said "I send congratulations from across the miles to you on your appointment. I know you have expertise in conservation and climate change - they're both very important parts of our everyday life here on Tristan. We had a destructive storm a couple of weeks ago and we're still only starting to recover. Tristan da Cunha is the world's remotest community. We really value your support, and we were hugely grateful for it during the recent Hantavirus episode. I hope you can deliver on your government's promises to the OTs".

Minister Kumaran was flanked by FCDO officials and to her left by former OTs minister Stephen Doughty.

The minister's reply acknowledged the remarkable response to the recent health emergency in the South Atlantic and underlined her support for conservation, including the Blue Belt programme of ocean protection around the OTs. She pledged to listen to Territories' concerns, and to work jointly with the Territories when UK and OT politicians meet later in the year.

Group shot of all those taking part in the UK Government FCDO Ministers
and Overseas Territory leaders' video call on 5th August 2026.