King Charles has received a stunning ceremonial welcome in Bermuda to officially kick off his visit to the country.
The King touched down in Bermuda for a solo royal tour on Thursday, arriving just hours after concluding his highly-successful State Visit to the United States.
The monarch's aircraft, the UK Government's VIP Airbus, arrived at LF Wade International Airport as dusk fell, displaying both the Royal Standard and Bermuda's flag from the cockpit.
Governor Andrew Murdoch and Premier David Burt, accompanied by his wife Kristin, welcomed Charles on the tarmac, where members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment formed a guard of honour.
The arrival ceremony on Thursday remained deliberately understated, with full pomp and pageantry including a 21-gun salute reserved for today’s formal welcome.
King Charles has received a stunning ceremonial welcome in Bermuda to officially kick off his visit to the country.
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Hundreds of schoolchildren and local residents gathered to witness the occasion, which featured full military honours.
Standing upon a dais, Charles remained still as troops presented the royal salute and a regimental band performed the national anthem.
Major Kenji Bean, serving as Parade Commander, subsequently accompanied the King during his inspection of the guard of honour.
Among the spectators, four-year-old Theo Godfrey stood out in his red tunic and imitation bearskin hat, dressed to resemble a guardsman.
Hundreds of schoolchildren and local residents gathered to witness the occasion, which featured full military honours.
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His mother had bought the costume from the official Buckingham Palace shop two years prior, joking "he's worn it ever since!"
Numerous children waving Union flags lined the square for the royal visit.
Following the formal proceedings, Charles moved through the crowds to greet well-wishers, shaking hands with those who had gathered.
As the King mingled with the public, the military band provided an unexpected soundtrack, performing Bob Marley and the Wailers' classic Jamming.
As the King mingled with the public, the military band provided an unexpected soundtrack, performing Bob Marley and the Wailers' classic Jamming.
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King Charles will travel to Trunk Island to see the "Living Classroom," an educational programme designed to teach young people about local ecosystems and foster environmental responsibility.
The capital Hamilton, will host a reception at City Hall, where the Premier and Mayor will introduce local councillors to the monarch.
A particularly distinctive engagement will see King Charles meet Michael Frith, the Bermuda-born designer responsible for creating numerous Muppets characters, along with his wife Kathryn Mullen, who will demonstrate their celebrated puppetry and discuss its Bermudian influences.
The arrival ceremony on Thursday remained deliberately understated, with full pomp and pageantry including a 21-gun salute reserved for today’s formal welcome.
|GETTY
The King's cultural programme continues at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where he will visit the Keep Yard and watch the National Gombey Dance Troupe perform alongside members of the public.
This traditional Bermudian dance form represents one of the island's most distinctive cultural expressions.
The day's engagements will conclude with a garden party hosted at Government House, bringing together guests representing a broad spectrum of Bermudian society.
The King's cultural programme continues at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where he will visit the Keep Yard and watch the National Gombey Dance Troupe perform alongside members of the public.
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Queen Camilla has not joined the King in Bermuda and has returned to the UK following the conclusion of the four-day State Visit to the US.
King Charles and Queen Camilla wrote on social media: “Farewell and thank you for the warmth of your welcome and the kind support you gave us throughout our first visit to the US as King and Queen, in this, your special anniversary year.
“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.
“Charles R. & Camilla R.”