King Charles III has admitted he struggles to keep pace with his sister, Princess Anne, during a heartfelt speech delivered at a garden party in Bermuda. The King, making his inaugural visit to the British Overseas Territory as monarch, shared fond recollections of family reunions aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and praised the Princess Royal's relentless global engagements.
A Cherished Part of the British Family
Speaking to guests at Government House in Hamilton, the King emphasised Bermuda's significance to the British family. He remarked: "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'." He added that Bermuda holds a "distinctly fond resonance" for his family, recalling how Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made the island the first stop of their Coronation Tour in 1953.
Memories of Britannia
The King recounted how, after that tour, he met his parents off the Royal Yacht Britannia in North Africa. "We used the old Royal Yacht Britannia, of fond memory," he said, describing the reunion. He then turned to Princess Anne, noting: "My sister, the Princess Royal, has been here numerous times – she goes everywhere in the world and I can't keep up with it."
A Historic First
Charles expressed amazement at being the first reigning king to visit Bermuda in its 400-year history. "I am terribly sorry it has taken so long!" he joked. The King spent over an hour mingling with guests, including politicians, community leaders, artists, and representatives of his Sustainable Markets Initiative. The event featured canapés such as miniature Yorkshire puddings with beef and 'dark and stormy' cocktails, with music from the Bermuda Philharmonic orchestra.
Earlier, the King noted that Government House still smells of fresh paint after recent refurbishments. His visit underscores the enduring bond between the Crown and the Overseas Territory, blending personal nostalgia with official duties.
