King Charles Takes Center Stage in Bermuda as Royal Ferry Crossing Draws Crowds
King Charles takes a ceremonial ferry through a vibrant flotilla in Bermuda, celebrating the island's culture after his US tour.
Shortly after ending his state visit to the US on a high note, King Charles quickly turned his attention to Bermuda for another historic visit. After arriving on April 30, he immediately got down to business the following day, greeting thousands of well-wishers who gathered in the heat for a glimpse of the monarch. While King Charles spent time shaking hands and chatting with children, the moment that stood out was in Hamilton Harbour, where he boarded a ceremonial ferry amidst a vibrant flotilla of local vessels and sailors. Waving to the spectators on the shore, the King stood at the heart of a planned salute to Bermuda’s seafaring identity. With junior sailors and veteran mariners acting as an escort across the Atlantic waters, this procession on the harbor was a tribute to the island’s centuries-old bond with the ocean.
The ferry crossing served as a dramatic shift in tone from the King’s recent diplomatic trip to America. There, his primary diplomatic mission was to ease tensions between the two nations, a contrast to his three-day Bermuda tour, which will be all about the local people, their culture, and environment. While he is prepared to do exactly that, the day actually began historically on the streets of St. George’s, where the monarch received a ceremonial greeting in King’s Square, complete with a 21-gun salute and Guard of Honour by the Royal Bermuda Regiment. Even with the pageantry, the atmosphere felt very local. While the King inspected the troops, the band skipped the usual military music for Bob Marley’s ‘Jamming,’ which highlighted the relaxed atmosphere and nature of the visit.
Crowds later filled the streets hours ahead of time, all hoping to see the King. Among the well-wishers was a four-year-old Theo Godfrey, who grabbed everyone’s attention in a small royal guardsman uniform and tiny bearskin-style hat. The highlight of the day was also the creativity of the people in Bermuda, as the monarch met with a Bermuda-born puppeteer, Michael Frith, the famous creator behind several famous "Muppets" characters. He and his wife, Kathryn Mullen, talked to the King about their artistic process and shared how the beauty of Bermuda helped shape the world of Fraggle Rock.
The King later stopped at Trunk Island’s “Living Classroom” to see how students study fragile ecosystems, a cause that has been a major part of his environmental work for years. He then traveled to the Royal Naval Dockyard for a high-energy performance by the National Gombey Dance Troupe, a group that combines British, Indigenous, African, and Caribbean influences into a unique island dance.
A special free ferry service was started by the Department of Marine and Ports to ensure residents could attend the event. Departing from Hamilton at 12:45 p.m, this service allowed 250 people to skip the heavy traffic and arrive in time for Charles’ appearance. The day wrapped up at Government House with a garden reception, where King Charles met with community leaders and residents from all over the island.
