The Commonwealth Association

Remembering Sonny Ramphal

The weather in London in early July is often warm, but rarely as warm as it was on 1 July, when the Commonwealth Association, the Ramphal family and the Commonwealth Secretariat joined together to mount a day of celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Sonny Ramphal, which was attended by rather more than 100 people.  Ramphal, who passed away in 2024, was the second Commonwealth Secretary-General, serving from 1975 to 1990. 

Memorial Service in the Queen’s Chapel

The day began with a service in the Queen’s Chapel, a beautiful building which is part of St James’s Palace and backs onto Marlborough House.  Those who have been members of the Secretariat’s Christian Fellowship will be familiar with the Chapel because it has for many years been the venue for the Fellowship’s Christmas Carol Service.  It was also the location for the 1994 memorial service for the first Commonwealth Secretary-General, Arnold Smith.  Those of us who haven’t had the privilege of seeing inside the building were in for a treat on 1 July.  The Chapel was simple in form but richly decorated, with flowers from the Caribbean providing a finishing touch.  Not only was the Chapel itself a wonderful sight, but the memorial service had been put together with great skill by Stuart Mole in association with the Ramphal family. 

The hymns and music, led by the Choir of the Chapel Royal, were a mix of classical and contemporary pieces, and were beautifully sung. ‘Guyana with Love’, the piece composed and performed by flautist Dr Keith Waithe was particularly moving. 

There were two tributes to Sonny from people he knew well – Chief Emeka Anyaoku, his successor as Secretary-General and Amanda Hennessy, Sonny’s younger daughter.

The new Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, also paid tribute to him.

A copy of the Order of  Service is available by clicking on the image below. The tributes can be downloaded through the following links – Anyaoku and Hennessy

Fifth Patsy Robertson Memorial Lecture on Ramphal’s Legacy in Marlborough House

The service was followed by refreshments in the Blenheim Saloon at Marlborough House and then by a gap before the afternoon’s main attraction, the Fifth Patsy Robertson Memorial Lecture, which was given by Sir Ronald Sanders, Ramphal’s son-in-law. 

Sir Ronald is currently Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to the USA and to the Organisation of American States. He was Antigua & Barbuda’s High Commissioner in London from 1983 to 1987 and 1994 to 2004. He was also a member and Rapporteur of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (2010-2011) which produced the report on Commonwealth reform,  A Commonwealth of the People: Time for Urgent Reform.

His scholarly and penetrating analysis, extending beyond the Commonwealth to both Sonny’s international work and his service to his beloved Caribbean, had his audience enthralled. There followed a lengthy and animated question and answer session, all of which will no doubt be widely referenced in the future.

A video of the speech, with introductions, questions and answers and vote of thanks can be watched through the link below. For your convenience, approximate times are given for the various speakers

Dr Stuart Mole – In the chair – Introduction – 0.00

Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General 2.08

Hugh Craft, former Director of International Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat (1979-1988) 7.08

Sir Ronald Sanders 15.22

Questions and Answers 1.12.59

Rickie Sankar, Commonwealth Association Vote of Thanks 1.57.55

The text of the speech is also available by clicking the image below.