History was made at Windsor Castle as a mother-daughter duo from Cardiff, Mrs Janey Howell and Dr Gabriella Howell, collected their royal honours at a rare joint investiture ceremony. Mrs Janey Howell was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and Dr Gabriella Howell was invested as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The prestigious accolades recognize the family's dual, decades-long devotion to cultural preservation, healthcare, education, and philanthropic service across Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Commonwealth.
Janey Howell's Civic Contributions
Beyond her international philanthropy, Mrs Janey Howell is a prominent driving force for civic duty and social progress within Wales. A former High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, she continues her extensive regional advocacy as the proud Patron of Mastering Diversity CIC, a Cardiff-based community interest company dedicated to breaking down professional barriers for underrepresented groups across the region. Her continuous public service underscores a lifelong commitment to civic equity.
Alongside her daughter, Janey is also bringing world-class heritage expertise back to the Welsh capital. As trustees of the Museum of Cardiff, the family is currently spearheading the museum's high-profile relocation from the Old Library into the historic grounds of Cardiff Castle. They are actively leading the strategy to update and modernize its public offering, ensuring the capital's diverse social history is accessible and engaging for future generations.
Gabriella Howell's Heritage Work
At the heart of Dr Gabriella Howell's MBE lies her transformative work as the director of historic preservation for the Heritage Trust (Antigua and Barbuda) Inc. As the author of the Master Plan, Gabriella directed the extensive architectural conservation of the island's historic Government House. Her central vision was to establish the newly opened Government House Museum, crafting a progressive, hybrid paradigm. Rather than keeping the building locked away for elite state functions, her strategy opens the upper floors to the public. The museum explores the island's complex evolution, confronting the history of colonialism, slavery, emancipation, and independence, while the ground floor remains the active, ceremonial office of the Governor-General.
Crucially, Gabriella's vision broke Caribbean conservation moulds by using the project to train local craftspeople in traditional limestone masonry and carpentry, safeguarding endangered heritage skills for future generations.
Reflections on the Ceremony
Reflecting on the joint ceremony at Windsor Castle and her journey, Mrs Janey Howell OBE said: "To travel from Antigua via our home in Cardiff to stand beside my daughter at Windsor Castle as we both receive these honours is an indescribable joy. This recognition strengthens our resolve to do even more for communities across the Commonwealth. Closer to home, whether supporting the vital inclusion work we do at Mastering Diversity CIC or bringing the city's vibrant history directly into Cardiff Castle, our goal is to build an inclusive future. We want to ensure our capital's diverse stories and people are celebrated in world-class settings."
Dr Gabriella Howell MBE added: "Protecting our shared history and using heritage as a tool to uplift communities is my life's passion. My vision for Government House was to challenge conventional boundaries. By reimagining it as both a functional political space and a public museum, we have turned a former symbol of colonial authority into an active participant in shaping modern national identity. Whether restoring landmarks in the Caribbean or working on the exciting relocation of the Museum of Cardiff to the Castle, our goal remains the same: making history dynamic, inclusive, and deeply meaningful."
