Premier Ewart Brown paid tribute and extended his condolences to the King Family after the passing of Yolanda King, the first child of civil rights legends Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

She died on Tuesday at a California hospital at the age of 51, after collapsing at her brother's home and couldn't be revived.

The cause of death is unknown, but it is suspected to be from a heart problem she had, according to a family statement.

Her death comes just over a year after her mother passed away, sparking national mourning across America.

Dr. Brown said: "Many of us owe a huge debt of gratitude to Yolanda Denise King. And on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I feel duty-bound to acknowledge that debt.

"I wish to pay my sincere respects to this courageous and inspirational woman. She will be sorely missed.

"Here in Bermuda, we remember Rev. King's dream because his daughter helped to keep his dream alive, as well as the spirit of his wife Coretta, who is also missed and not forgotten."

Yolanda King was an activist in her own right and used her career as an actress, lecturer and producer, to bring about social change.

She was immersed in the civil rights movement from the moment she was born in the late 50s and was only a baby when her family home was bombed in 1956.

She was just 12 when her father was assassinated at a motel in 1968. "The Rev. Joseph Lowery captured the feelings of my country, when he said 'Yolanda was lovely'," Dr. Brown continued.

"She wore the mantle of princess and she wore it with dignity and charm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of America and especially with the surviving King siblings."

Funeral arrangements are to be announced later.