Governor General Froyla T’zalam Bestowed Title of Dame

Froyla T’zalam

Before his departure, Prince William bestowed upon Governor-General, Froyla T’zalam, the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. The title was bestowed during an Investiture ceremony at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel in Cayo. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.

“The Order of Saint Michael and Saint George: […] to a knighthood of Her Excellency, Froyla T’zalam, is in keeping with the tradition in which previous Governors-General, as representative of the Queen, were similarly bestowed. As a result of the Title, Her Excellency will receive the title of Dame.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

By this proclamation, the Governor-General, Froyla T’zalam will herein after be called Dame Froyla T’zalam. The title is bestowed on people in foreign countries who have given service in relation to Commonwealth or Foreign Affairs. It brings with it a level of distinction and one that Her Excellency shares with only one other Belizean, former Governor-General, the late Dame Minita Gordon.

“The most distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George to be a Dame Grand Cross, Her Excellency, Dame Froyla T’zalam, Governor-General of Belize.”

The honour comes less than a year after Her Excellency was installed as Governor-General on May twenty-seventh, 2021. Originally from the village of San Antonio, Toledo, the title also places the Governor-General in a class by herself, being the first woman of indigenous background to have made this achievement. The honour came on the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the throne and during Prince William and Kate’s tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas in celebration of Her Majesty’s milestone achievement.

But the G.G. was not the only person to be recognized on this momentous occasion. Ralph Feinstein, founder of Benny’s Enterprises Limited, received the Order of Knighthood for his contribution to entrepreneurial leadership and will now be called Sir.

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, special commemorative medals, with an image of the Queen, were awarded to serving frontline members, particularly for their brave service during Hurricanes Eta and Iota that flooded much of Cayo, and more recently, to those who served tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Holders of these medals include: Lance Corporal Arsenio Coy, B.D.F. Captain, Doctor Jamaal Elijio— who himself has been infected with COVID several times, but who has returned to work despite the risks— and Staff Sergeant Thomas Itch, for exemplary service during anti-narcotic operations in September, 2018.

Prince William also got to take back with him a gift – which is a portrait of him and his wife, Kate, of that public kiss they shared on their wedding day for the entire world to see.

Marion Ali for News Five.

Following the handing out of the honours, Her Excellency Dame FroylaT’zalam made an official toast to the Queen.