Bermuda’s Woman of the Year was invited to speak at Buckingham Palace about her work in the community.

Tammy Richardson-Augustus, a lawyer and activist, spoke on topics including surmounting the legal obstacles to justice faced by victims of domestic abuse.

The Princess Royal is the president of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences.

She and Wes Hall, chairman of the 2025 Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue, collaborate to empower delegates from across Canada and the Caribbean for positive community impact.

Ms Richardson-Augustus and Edward Ball Jr are alumni and co-chairs of the Bermuda chapter.

Setting the foundation for May 2025, the co-chairs planned meetings in Britain including a reception hosted by Canada’s High Commissioner in the UK, Ralph Goodale, a leadership forum staged by the CCELD Study Conference, and a recognition dinner at Buckingham Palace.

The Princess Royal hosted a formal dinner at the palace at which Ms Richardson-Augustus spoke.

Ms Richardson-Augustus said: “A hallmark of every CSC changemaker is the ability to forge invaluable partnerships. I have certainly deployed this skill in my efforts to enhance Bermuda's domestic abuse prevention framework.

“I have leveraged the eminent alum network, worked alongside advocates drawn principally from the UK and Canada, and continue to work tirelessly to lessen the obstacles to justice that victims experience.”

Ms Richardson-Augustus is the first woman delegate to represent Bermuda and the first intergenerational member, following in the footsteps of her father, the late Kenneth Richardson, who attended the conference in 1980.

Mr Richardson, a former Cabinet Secretary, was coined “the voice of reason” as part of negotiations to resolve the 1981 General Strike.

Ms Richardson-Augustus attended the 2007 India/Malaysia Commonwealth Study Conference entitled “Working Together for Inclusive Growth and Development”.

She was one of two speakers invited to address the distinguished attendees at Buckingham Palace on her 2007 India conference experience and on her community projects including the legal challenges surrounding domestic abuse.

She said that the practice of learning by observing and discussion was established from the very start of the study conferences.

The inaugural regional dialogue was held in 2011.

Bermuda played a prominent role, hosting a study tour that included a visit to Chewstick on Court Street and a segment on tourism.

At that time, Mr Ball and Ms Richardson-Augustus, together with the committee members, worked with then Governor Sir Richard Gozney to organise the inaugural Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue, which saw the Princess Royal travel to Bermuda to oversee the local study tour.

Ms Richardson-Augustus added: “The singular most important decision in my working life was to accept the invitation to attend the 2007 India/Malaysia Commonwealth Study Conference entitled ‘Working Together for Inclusive Growth and Development’.

“Being the first woman to be selected to represent Bermuda in the 50-plus-year history of the CSC was an incredible privilege. There was a focus on process, partnership and potential. The experience provided a catalyst for new friendships and personal growth, and fuelled my community spirit.

“I strive to embody the two key philosophies that every CSC alum learns — to fortify and improve the lives of their fellow citizens, and to pay forward the opportunities they receive”

Ms Richardson-Augustus was named Woman of the Year at an event commemorating International Women’s Day.

She was recognised for her work around addressing domestic abuse and related legal difficulties.

Mr Ball and Ms Richardson-Augustus are canvassing for the Island to be selected to host a study tour. They are also seeking to identify aspiring leaders to represent Bermuda at the conference.

Mr Ball added: “It is important that any chosen applicant takes advantage of the opportunity and then applies their experience to assist with Bermuda’s community initiatives — it’s an experience of a lifetime.”