King Charles apologised for taking so long to visit beautiful Bermuda during a garden party on Friday night.
The 77-year-old king, who is fresh from his US state visit with Donald and Melania Trump, attended a garden party at Government House, where he told guests that he was sorry it had taken 400 years for a reigning monarch to visit the country.
“I am told to my amazement it is also the first time in Bermuda’s four-hundred-year history that the islands have received a reigning King. I am terribly sorry it has taken so long!,” he said.
While not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and participates in Commonwealth activities and sports through its association with the UK, which manages its defence and foreign affairs.
Raising a toast to Bermuda at the garden party, the King said: “I need hardly say that Bermuda, like all the Overseas Territories, is a most cherished and important member of the British family – with a friendship as solid as this so-called ‘Rock’.”
The event took place at Government House, where the King has been staying during his three-day visit.
King Charles’ busy agenda in Bermuda
© Getty ImagesThe King is expected to end his three-day visit to Bermuda by officially launching the UK Space Agency’s (UKSA) Project Nova, which serves to help track space debris.
During a tour of the site of a new UKSA observatory, the monarch will hear about the initiative to oversee the installation of a global network of telescopes across five sites to help track old satellites, rocket stages, and other objects.
He is also expected to open the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station and learn about the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s Coast Guard’s critical work in protecting the island’s territorial waters, as well as safeguarding its marine environment.
King Charles will be shown two new pieces of technology being used by the regiment, unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
© Getty ImagesFinally, he is due to greet young people from the Junior Leader programme and award operational service medals to five members of the regiment for their commitment to the protection of the island.
King Charles’ state visit to the US
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s four-day visit to the US drew to a close on Thursday. The couple received a warm welcome from President Donald Trump, who announced he would be removing tariffs on Scottish whisky shortly after they were waved off from Washington by Trump.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in response: “The King has been informed of President Trump’s warm gesture and sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports.
© Getty Images“His Majesty will be raising a dram to the president’s thoughtfulness and generous hospitality as he departs the US after a most enjoyable state visit for both their majesties in this special anniversary year.”
HELLO!’s Royal Editor Emily Nash and our US Royal Correspondent Alex Hurtado spent the week shadowing the King and Queen in Washington D.C., New York City, and rural Virginia.
Check out all their insights in our special episode of A Right Royal Podcast, including their personal highlight of the week. Plus, if you’re curious, they’ve also opened up their camera rolls to the public, offering a unique insight into what it’s really like to be a royal reporter.
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