King Charles has arrived in Bermuda for a three-day royal trip after waving off Donald Trump following a memorable state visit to the United States.
Departure from the US
Charles and Queen Camilla were waved off from Washington yesterday and carried out engagements in Virginia before the King later touched down in Bermuda for a solo tour. He landed last night after Trump announced he would remove tariffs from Scottish whisky, prompting Buckingham Palace to say the King would be toasting the President with a dram.
Trump said it was Charles and Camilla’s intervention that prompted the important decision. The King and Queen later thanked the US for the welcome they received in a message on X. The couple said: "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."
Arrival in Bermuda
The King touched down in Bermuda at dusk last night, having concluded his four-day state visit to the US just hours earlier. Arriving at L.F Wade International Airport at dusk, the UK government's VIP Airbus A321neo plane had the Royal Standard and Bermuda flag flying out the cockpit window. Stepping out of the aircraft, Charles quickly descended, holding his left hand along the railings.
He was met on the tarmac by the Governor of Bermuda Andrew Murdoch, with the pair chatting animatedly and the King indicating his watch, likely in reference to his jam-packed day that saw him travel from Washington DC to Virginia and back before flying to the Caribbean island.
Today's Engagements
Today, the King will visit Trunk Island, home to the "Living Classroom," an initiative which helps young people understand the island’s ecosystem and encourages environmental stewardship. In the capital Hamilton, Charles will be received at City Hall by the Premier of Bermuda and the Mayor of Hamilton, who will present local councillors.
Trump's Praise for the King
US President Donald Trump hailed the King as "the greatest king in my book" when he said farewell to his guest as the state visit drew to a close. Charles and Camilla visited the White House for the final time to say goodbye to the president and first lady Melania Trump, waiting at the historic building’s South Portico overlooking the famous lawns.
As the foursome posed for a picture in front of the gathered media, Trump pointed at Charles and told the press: "He’s a great king. The greatest king in my book." The president has heaped praise on "fantastic" Charles and the UK’s historical ties with the US throughout the four-day state visit and at one point was photographed affectionately touching the King’s knee.
King and Queen's Message to America
The King and Queen said they have left a piece of their heart behind in the United States in a message to the nation’s people. Charles and Camilla’s four-day state visit to the US ended yesterday with an overwhelmingly positive response from President Donald Trump, who lifted tariffs on Scottish whisky.
In a message posted to social media, the couple said: "Farewell and thank you for the warmth of your welcome and the kind support you gave us throughout our first visit to the US as King and Queen, in this, your special anniversary year. 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."
