King Charles ends first full day in Bermuda with garden party

Dorothy Reddin
Sat, 02 May 2026 08:13:57 +0000

King Charles brought his first full day in Bermuda to a close with a garden party at Government House on Friday evening, gathering guests from across the island's diverse community.

The reception capped an intensive schedule of engagements for the monarch, who arrived in the British overseas territory on Thursday evening following his four-day state visit to America.

Throughout Friday, Charles was bathed in sunshine as he took part in a varied programme that included maritime activities with the Coast Guard and encounters with local cultural performers.

The garden party assembled representatives from all walks of Bermudian life, providing the King with an opportunity to meet islanders in a more relaxed setting after the formal ceremonies earlier in the day.

The morning's formal welcome ceremony took place in the aptly named King's Square, situated in St George's, the territory's historic former capital.

A 21-gun salute announced the monarch's arrival, with Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Simons, Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, receiving him before a guard of honour.

Hundreds of schoolchildren and local residents had gathered to witness the occasion, many clutching Union flags.

Charles stood motionless on a dais as troops presented the royal salute and a regimental band performed the national anthem, before Major Kenji Bean accompanied him during an inspection of the guard.

Among the young spectators, four-year-old Theo Godfrey stood out in his red tunic and imitation bearskin hat. His mother had purchased the guardsman costume from the Buckingham Palace shop two years earlier, joking: "He's worn it ever since!"

The Bermuda trip follows what has been described as a highly successful diplomatic mission to America, where the monarchy's soft power proved instrumental in securing a significant trade breakthrough.

President Trump announced the lifting of tariffs on Scottish whisky as the royal couple departed Washington, crediting Charles and Camilla's intervention for the decision.

Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said "distillers can breathe a little easier" following the announcement.

The development is seen as vindicating Downing Street's decision to dispatch the monarch on what some had considered a risky mission to strengthen the UK-US special relationship.

Before leaving America, the King and Queen posted a message on X thanking their hosts: "We leave a piece of our heart behind and take a little of yours back home with us. Until the next time… God Bless America."

Following the ceremonial welcome, the King mingled with crowds as the military band struck up an unexpected soundtrack, performing Bob Marley and the Wailers' classic Jamming.

Charles then travelled to Trunk Island to visit the Living Classroom, an educational initiative run by the Bermuda Zoological Society that teaches young people about local ecosystems and environmental stewardship.

At City Hall in Hamilton, the Premier and Mayor introduced local councillors to the monarch before a particularly distinctive engagement saw him meet Michael Frith, the Bermuda-born designer behind numerous Muppets characters, and his wife Kathryn Mullen, who demonstrated their celebrated puppetry.

The King's cultural programme continued at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where he visited the Keep Yard and joined members of the public to watch the National Gombey Dance Troupe perform this traditional Bermudian art form.