The British Royal Family has commemorated Windrush Day, June 22, with a powerful tribute to the Caribbean men, women, and children whose courage and resilience helped rebuild post-war Britain. As part of the observance, Buckingham Palace unveiled ten newly commissioned portraits celebrating members of the Windrush Generation, now included in the Royal Collection.
Commissioned by King Charles III in 2023 to mark the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival, the portraits honor Caribbean migrants who journeyed to Britain in 1948 and the generations that followed. Each sitter, selected by the Windrush Portraits Committee, represents an extraordinary personal story and a legacy of sacrifice, strength, and service to the UK. Many are now in their 90s.
“It is, I believe, crucially important that we should truly see and hear these pioneers who stepped off the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in June 1948 — only a few months before I was born — and those who followed over the decades, to recognise and celebrate the immeasurable difference that they, their children and their grandchildren have made to this country,” said His Majesty the King.
Among the ten sitters are Jamaican-born Delisser Bernard, Alford Gardner, Linda Haye, Edna Henry, Gilda Oliver, Professor Sir Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer, Laceta Reid, and John “Big John” Richards; Guyanese actress Carmen Esme Munroe; and Jessie Stephens from St. Lucia. The artists — including Honor Titus, Chloe Cox, Shannon Bono, Amy Sherald, Sonia Boyce, Clifton Powell, Derek Fordjour, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Deanio X, and Sahara Longe — brought each story to life on canvas.
These portraits depict individuals who helped build critical British infrastructure, particularly in transport and healthcare, at a time when the nation was recovering from the devastation of World War II. They reflect the broader contributions of the Caribbean community and the enduring impact of diversity in British society.
In a separate statement, King Charles emphasized, “It’s crucial that we see and hear these pioneers…to recognise and celebrate their immeasurable contribution to this country, as well as that of their children and grandchildren.”
The portraits debuted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and are now on view at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Family’s social media channels marked the occasion this year, stating: “Today is Windrush Day: a day to mark the contribution of the Caribbean men, women and children who arrived in Britain after the Second World War to help rebuild the country… These portraits are now proudly hung in Buckingham Palace.”
Today is Windrush Day: a day to mark the contribution of the Caribbean men, women and children who arrived in Britain after the Second World War to help rebuild the country.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 22, 2025
In 2023, the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush to British shores, The King… pic.twitter.com/j2ipSx8rPO
A new BBC documentary, Windrush: Portraits of a Generation, accompanies the exhibition. It captures the artistic process and offers emotional, firsthand accounts from the sitters, many of whom endured early hardships and discrimination. According to the BBC, the film aims to preserve these stories as “a lasting memorial to those who gave so much of themselves to rebuild a nation devastated by war.”
The Royal Family described the portraits as a testament to the Caribbean community’s pride, resilience, and cultural richness — acknowledging the historical and ongoing role of Caribbean Britons in shaping the nation.
