Their Excellencies Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, and Lady Williams have concluded a high-profile visit to London, undertaking a demanding schedule of diplomatic, cultural, and philanthropic engagements. According to Antigua News Room, the visit encompassed a series of significant events, including the prestigious Halo fundraising ball and bilateral discussions with senior British officials.
The 10th annual Halo Ball, held at the Chancery Rosewood in Mayfair, welcomed well over 400 guests, including pre-CHOGM invitees. Funds were raised through live and silent auctions on the night. The event has previously been hosted at prominent London venues including the Peninsula, the Dorchester, the Royal Lancaster, the Rosewood High Holborn, and the Waldorf Hilton.
Among its benefactors, the ball received meaningful support from the Calvin Ayre Foundation, PLH in Barbuda, and Moongate — a boutique resort soon to open at Half Moon Bay. Music was provided by acclaimed local artists including The Strays, featuring Hani Hechme, Tony Mayers, Adam Kirby, Jashan Hughes, Rey Wowor Graham, and Annie on acoustic guitar. Audiovisual production was managed by Antigua and Barbuda's Visual Echo.
The Halo Foundation, operating under its Wings of Charity programme, has a distinguished record of bringing talented performers to international attention. It was at a Wings of Charity event that Prince Harry first encountered cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, whose performance left a lasting impression. The Duchess of Sussex subsequently requested that Kanneh-Mason perform at their royal wedding. That introduction was widely covered in UK media and on royal websites. Kanneh-Mason, of Antiguan and Sierra Leonean descent, has since risen to global prominence alongside his celebrated family of seven siblings.
The world-renowned Kingdom Choir, which also performed at the royal wedding, has previously taken the stage at Wings of Charity. Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge fame, known for hits including "We Are Family," has also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Halo Foundation, contributing to its musical programming over a number of years.
Antigua and Barbuda's only living National Hero, Sir Vivian Richards, continues to lend his support to the Foundation, donating autographed items for auction. Local produce, including locally made gin, was also slated for auction — illustrating a blend of philanthropy, culture, and diplomacy that defines the event. Proceeds from this year's Halo Ball are intended to support five selected charitable initiatives aligned with Antigua and Barbuda's development priorities and partner organisations within the Commonwealth network.
Beyond the ball, the visit included an array of engagements aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and cultural exchange. Lady Williams represented Antigua and Barbuda at the Royal Ascot, where she selected the best turned-out horse from within the Royal Enclosure and distributed a cash prize to the winning stable. "I'm a stickler for underdogs," she noted. "I'm rather happy that the horse which caught my eye originated from a small stable. I'm hoping it meant something special to the groomsmen and stable hands."
Sir Rodney distributed trophies and prizes to winning teams at the races, underscoring the intersection of sport, philanthropy, and governance that characterised the visit throughout.
The couple also attended an annual dinner at St. James's Palace, spearheaded by the Royal Drawing School, reinforcing an ongoing partnership with that institution. The day following the Wings of Charity ball, Their Excellencies held constructive discussions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer at No. 10 Downing Street, before joining them at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Lady Williams also directed efforts toward museum outreach, nonprofit financial support, and engagement with young Antiguans and Barbudans residing in or visiting England, emphasising community engagement and the role of philanthropy in sustaining cultural and educational initiatives.
On fundraising results, Lady Williams offered the following: "We are still awaiting the amount raised, as it takes the auctioneers a little time to collect all the pledges. But every penny is for giving back to a good cause. We really want to kick off with a big push for Generation Next Football Club, as we need to seriously start to search for opportunities for our local talent in the sports export market."
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office in London, headed by Ms. Cherrie Osborne, was commended for providing annual gift bags to high-profile visitors and friends of the Foundation, representing charitable organisations from Antigua and beyond. Mr. Karl Williams of London contributed a full gospel choir to the evening's programme. The Tourist Office also expanded the event's reach by inviting top wholesalers, travel writers, and retailers, while major UK broadsheets and tabloids sent senior editors to cover the ball at the Foundation's invitation.
Sir Rodney, serving as Patron of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum and President of the West India Committee, used the visit to advance Antigua and Barbuda's standing on the world stage, with a focus on elevating the nation's profile ahead of its hosting of CHOGM. Lady Williams, as President of the Antigua and Barbuda Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society — of which Sir Rodney is Patron — also used the trip to advance planning for scheduled activity in 2026 and 2027.
Their Excellencies took the opportunity to commend High Commissioner to the United Kingdom H.E. Karen-Mae Hill and her team for their effective and discreet leadership in advancing shared diplomatic and philanthropic objectives throughout the visit.
