Boats, dancing and cake-cutting: Bermuda welcomes King Charles
King III. Charles is visiting Bermuda on his first trip to a British overseas territory as monarch.
The King, who was not accompanied by Queen Camilla, arrived in the regional capital, Hamilton, on Thursday evening after his four-day official visit to the United States.
His first day in the region included a visit to an education center focusing on the island’s ecosystem, a boat trip with the coast guard, and a cake-cutting event at the aquarium.
The trip was also a change of pace for the King, whose visit to the United States was seen as a turning point. greatest diplomatic moment from his reign.
The King inspects the Royal Bermuda Regiment at the start of his first day in Bermuda [Reuters]
While this is the King’s first visit to Bermuda as a sovereign, he has previously arrived for the opening of the island’s parliament in 1970 and toured the region in a convertible.
As part of Friday’s welcome, he inspected the Royal Bermuda Regiment of the British Army before shaking hands with locals lining the streets of the former capital St George.
Those gathered before the King’s arrival saw a marching band and military procession pass through the town, and his arrival was marked by a 21-gun salute.
The band then treated King to a rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Jamming.
People of all ages carried union jacks and took photos of the King.
Four-year-old Theo attended the event with his mother, wearing the King’s guard uniform, which caught the monarch’s attention.
Theo’s mother said she bought the outfit from the Buckingham Palace store two years ago.
“He’s been wearing it ever since!” he joked.
Theo wasn’t the only one wearing a guard outfit, so was his teddy bear [Reuters]
Members of the Bermuda Zoological Society perform a welfare check on a Bermuda Longtail [PA Media]
A young girl named Charlotte came to see the King and shook his hand.
“I’ll never wash my hands again,” he told the BBC.
Charlotte’s mother, Jennifer, said her own mother had visited her with Queen Elizabeth II on one of her six visits to the region. He told how he brought Elizabeth to see him.
King Charles then visited the Living Classroom on Bermuda’s Trunk Island, an initiative for young people to learn about the local eco-system.
During the visit, Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) staff performed a health check on the Bermuda Longtail, also known as the white-tailed tropicbird.
BZS is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the aquarium museum on the island, where the King stopped by to cut the cake.
In addition to events on land, the King also took a boat tour with the Bermuda coast guard and learned about their work to combat illegal fishing and smuggling.
Aquarium celebrates its 100th anniversary [PA Media]
The king has been largely well-received during his visits over the past week, including a visit to the monarch by US President Donald Trump. his mother thought he was “cute”.
But there were concerns that worsening relations between Britain and the US could lead to an uncomfortable visit.
In recent months, President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regarding the United Kingdom’s reluctance to join America and Israel’s war with Iran.
The King indirectly touched on the tensions in his speech before the US Congress, which received a standing ovation.
In his speech, the King greeted the following: “indispensable” UK and US partnership.
Farewell gift from Trump Tariffs on Scotch whiskey removed “In honor of the King and Queen”.
King Charles’ visit to Bermuda will last two days before returning to England.
[BBC]
