On Wednesday March 10th 2010, 46 persons became Dutch citizens during an official naturalization ceremony held in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall. The eldest person was 66 years of age.
Governor Franklyn Richards who presided over the ceremony congratulated the 26 females and 20 males of which 19 were born on the island and 19 were children under the age of 10.
This was the second naturalization ceremony for 2010. Governor Richards congratulated the new citizens after they cited in the presence of family and friends the declaration of solidarity.
Governor Richards during the ceremony also gave a historical perspective with respect to the naturalization process pointing out that it was back in August 2008 that changes were made to the process of obtaining the Dutch nationality.
In March 2009 the Kingdom law was amended and came into effect.
The 46 persons who became Dutch citizens hailed from the following countries: 14 Suriname, six Dominica, six Dominican Republic, five Haiti, four Americans, three St. Kitts & Nevis, three Jamaica, three Guyana, one St. Lucia and one French national.
At the end of the ceremony, the new Dutch citizens were treated to beverages and snacks.