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Monarch arrives in Bermuda for historic trip
King Charles III landed in Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, on Thursday evening, marking his first official visit to a British overseas territory since ascending the throne. The trip follows a four-day state visit to the United States, widely regarded as a pivotal diplomatic moment for his reign.
A day of reflection and tradition
The King's itinerary on Friday began with a sobering stop at the National Museum of Bermuda, where he viewed exhibits documenting the island's role in the transatlantic slave trade. The display included artifacts such as neck irons used by slave traders and an image of shackled men aboard a slave ship.
Later, he observed a Gombey dance performance, a tradition with roots in African, Caribbean, and Native American cultures that was suppressed during slavery. Irwin Trott, a spokesperson for Bermuda's Gombey troupes, explained to the King how the dance preserved cultural identity despite colonial oppression.
"Even though they were stripped of their identity, names were taken, their language was taken, deep in their heart they maintained their culture, and so it still flourished throughout the Caribbean."
Irwin Trott, Bermudan Gombey dance spokesman
Public celebrations and military honors
In St. George, the island's former capital, crowds gathered to welcome the monarch with a 21-gun salute and a marching band performance. The King inspected the Royal Bermuda Regiment before greeting well-wishers, including young Charlotte, who quipped she would "never wash her hand again" after shaking his.
A highlight for many was the band's rendition of Bob Marley's Jamming, while four-year-old Theo, dressed in a Buckingham Palace guardsman uniform, caught the King's eye.
Environmental engagement and local connections
The King's schedule included a visit to the Living Classroom on Trunk Island, where he participated in releasing land hermit crabs relocated from a threatened habitat. Staff from the Bermuda Zoological Society also demonstrated a health check on a Bermuda Longtail, a local seabird species.
At the island's aquarium museum, celebrating its 100th anniversary, the King cut a ceremonial cake. He also met Michael Frith, a Bermuda native who co-created iconic Muppets characters, and joined a coastguard boat tour to learn about efforts to combat illegal fishing.
Diplomatic tensions overshadowed by warm reception
Despite recent strains between the UK and U.S., including criticism from former President Donald Trump over Britain's stance on conflicts in the Middle East, the King's U.S. visit proceeded smoothly. In a speech to Congress, he emphasized the "indispensable" partnership between the two nations, earning a standing ovation.
Trump reciprocated by lifting tariffs on Scottish whisky as a parting gesture. The King's Bermuda trip, spanning two days, concludes his week-long international engagements before his return to the UK.
