A administrative misstep tied to the 2026 Queen of Carnival competition has prompted the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission to issue a public, unreserved apology to Jamona Samuel, a hopeful contestant who was incorrectly notified of her selection.
The error unfolded after the conclusion of the competition’s initial screening round. In a slip-up that has since sparked regret among commission leadership, an official congratulatory letter was incorrectly dispatched to Samuel, falsely confirming her spot as a contestant in the upcoming 2026 pageant. The commission has openly acknowledged the miscommunication, and expressed deep remorse for the letdown and emotional harm the mistake inflicted on Samuel.
In a statement released to the public, the commission emphasized that it fully recognizes what the Queen of Carnival platform means to emerging young leaders across the nation. Officials noted that every candidate who puts their name forward pours significant time, energy and personal commitment into preparing for the screening process, and all participants deserve to be treated with consistent professionalism and care. The commission admitted that the incident involving Samuel fell far short of the standards that applicants have every right to expect from the organizing body.
Taking full ownership of the administrative failure, the commission reiterated its heartfelt apology to Samuel for the negative impact the error has had on her experience as an applicant. Moving forward, the organization has pledged to implement sweeping improvements to its internal communication protocols and operational workflows. These changes are designed to boost accuracy, streamline efficiency, and reinforce accountability across all stages of the competition planning and execution process.
The commission closed its statement by thanking Samuel for bringing the error to its attention, and extended a final apology for the inconvenience and distress the miscommunication caused.