King Charles III and Queen Camilla kicked off their official visit to Bermuda on Friday, a trip that carries particular symbolic weight for both the British Crown and the monarch himself. It marks the first time the King has set foot in a British overseas territory since ascending the throne.
As Buckingham Palace noted on its official Instagram account, “Today, The King will undertake a day of engagements in Bermuda.”
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesA Warm Welcome and Island-Wide Excitement
The King and Queen’s arrival has sparked considerable excitement across the island. According to The Royal Gazette, local authorities have arranged a packed two-day program blending official engagements, youth-focused events, cultural visits, and activities centered on marine biodiversity, one of the key priorities of the trip.
© Getty ImagesThe visit was formally confirmed on April 24 by the Government of Bermuda, which underscored its historic significance and its importance in strengthening ties between London and the territory.
Following a Landmark Visit to the United States
King Charles III touched down in Bermuda, an archipelago in the North Atlantic off the eastern coast of the United States, after wrapping up a four-day official visit to the U.S., a trip made all the more significant as it coincided with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
© Getty ImagesBefore departing the United States, the King and Queen shared a personal message on social media: “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,” signing it “Charles R. & Camilla R.”
From there, King Charles and Queen Camilla traveled on to Hamilton, Bermuda’s administrative and commercial capital, to begin their program in the British Overseas Territory. Upon arriving at L.F. Wade International Airport in the town of St. George’s, they were greeted by Premier David Burt and other local officials in a moment that marked the formal start of their visit.
A Packed Two-Day Royal Program
The King and Queen are facing an especially packed schedule over the next two days, traveling the length of the island from east to west. The program features large-scale public events, including a ceremonial welcome in King’s Square in St. George’s, complete with a Guard of Honor and a 21-gun salute, as well as visits to open-air venues, from the Aquarium and Zoo to the Royal Naval Dockyard.
© Getty ImagesAccording to the itinerary published by Bernews and confirmed by the local government, the King will engage directly with communities, young people, artists, and athletes. Officials have emphasized on the government’s website that the visit will give Charles III the chance to connect with a younger generation and see firsthand how their creativity and commitment are helping tackle both local and global challenges.
Royal Visits to Bermuda Through the Decades
Bermuda’s relationship with the British Royal Family has been shaped by more than seven decades of official visits. The first came in 1953, when Queen Elizabeth II made the island the opening stop of her Commonwealth Coronation tour, a sweeping six-month journey that ran from November 1953 to May 1954 and took in as many as 12 countries. That landmark visit marked a turning point in the archipelago’s history.
The Queen returned to the island on four further occasions, 1975, 1976, 1994, and 2009, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, with each visit reinforcing the institutional and symbolic ties with the Overseas Territory.
King Charles’ Longstanding Connection to the Island
This is not the first time King Charles III has set foot on the island. Half a century ago, the then Prince of Wales also marked a notable chapter there. In 1970, at just 21 years old, he carried out an official visit to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the opening of Bermuda’s first Parliament, a pivotal milestone in the island’s political life.
The Duchess of Gloucester’s Recent Visit
More recently, in 2025, the Duchess of Gloucester traveled to Bermuda in her role as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, reinforcing the Royal Family’s institutional presence at the island’s military and commemorative events.
© Getty ImagesBirgitte, born Birgitte van Deurs in 1946 and the wife of Prince Richard, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, is one of the most low-key yet steadfast members of the British Royal Family. Known for her deep commitment to public service, she regularly attends official engagements alongside other members of the monarchy, including Commonwealth Day observances, and resides with her husband at Kensington Palace.
A Visit That Underscores an Enduring Royal Bond
It’s against this rich historical backdrop that King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s current visit unfolds as they spend these days traveling across the island to celebrate its culture and engage with the initiatives driven by its people. More than half a century after his first stay in Bermuda, and now as monarch, the trip once again underscores the enduring bond between the Crown and the territory.
