Princess Margaret gave an inspiring speech at the opening of the Morant Bay Hospital which was named in her honour. She spoke of the achievement being the mark of more things to come.

Published February 24, 1955

Princess sees Jamaica 300 as inspiration to new enterprise

At Prince Margaret Hospital opening

Expressing delight at being able to accept Jamaica’s invitation to the island in this year of Tercentenary celebrations, Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret made the second speech of her visit yesterday.

It was on the occasion of her formal opening of the Morant Bay Hospital, which she named the 'Princess Margaret Hospital', a modern structure erected at a cost of £200,000 and accommodating 150 beds.

In the speech, made in reply to the expression of appreciation for her visit which the Hon Norman Manley, QC, chief minister, made on behalf of the people of Jamaica, Princess Margaret said:

“I was delighted to be able to accept your invitation to come here in this year when you are celebrating 300 years of Jamaica History.

“From all I have seen and heard since I came to Jamaica, I understand the special heritage on which you rightly set such store. I know that in your anniversary year you must be looking back on the achievements of the past with no small pride. But today is not only a time to celebrate past accomplishments. It serves to give inspiration to new enterprise in the years to come.”

Princess Margaret and members of her suite. left King’s House at 9:15 a.m. yesterday, saying farewell to the city through the thousands gathered along the route to see her pass. She arrived amid great welcome at Morant Bay Hospital at 10:30 a.m. and after preliminaries, declared the hospital open, feeling “good” that the people of Great Britain and Jamaica could join together in such a noble enterprise. The Princess was making history in that it was the first time that a member of the Royal Family had visited the parish of St Thomas, and the fact that she named the hospital Princess Margaret Hospital came as a pleasant surprise to all.

Princess Margaret was also making her second and perhaps final speech in Jamaica, in which she replied to a welcome speech on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica by the Hon Norman Manley, chief minister, who stressed the affection of Jamaicans for the Royal Family and for the Princess in particular, and mentioned the close ties between Jamaica and Great Britain and the acclamation and esteem which the Princess had met on her Caribbean tour.

The third speech of the occasion was made by the Hon Claude Stuart, minister of health, who gave background information on the construction of the hospital which was completed in July last year.

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