Bermuda welcomes King Charles III on his first visit as sovereign | News
Bermuda will take center stage this spring when King Charles III makes his first official visit to the island as sovereign. The visit will take place from April 30 to May 2, 2026 and marks an important moment for the British Overseas Territory and its ongoing relationship with Britain.
His Majesty’s last official visit to Bermuda was in 1970 to read the Speech from the Throne and open the 350th year of Parliamentary Government in Bermuda. This will be the sovereign’s first visit in 16 years, following Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s visit in 2009 to mark the 400th anniversary of the settlement, and comes some 73 years after they first visited the island in 1953.
Following his state visit to the United States, His Majesty’s time in Bermuda will showcase the island’s unique blend of heritage, community and forward-looking environmental innovation. The visit begins with a ceremonial welcome to Hamilton, featuring a guard of honor and 21-gun salute, setting the tone for a program designed to showcase the very best of Bermudian culture and identity.
During the visit, The King will interact with a broad cross-section of island life, from meeting young people participating in the Bermuda Zoological Society’s environmental education programs in a live classroom session, to learning about vital biodiversity and conservation efforts that protect Bermuda’s fragile ecosystems.
Culture and heritage will also take center stage, with His Majesty meeting local creatives and exploring Bermuda’s complex history, including its links to the transatlantic slave trade, providing a deeper insight into the island’s past and present. On the waterfront, he will engage with youth organizations and athletes preparing for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, highlighting Bermuda’s commitment to future generations.
The visit will also highlight Bermuda’s role on the world stage, as The King learns about groundbreaking initiatives, including a new partnership with the UK Space Agency to develop a telescope site on the island, supporting international efforts to monitor space debris and promote space sustainability.
The visit concludes with the official opening of the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station and reinforces Bermuda’s strategic importance as well as its leadership in maritime safety and environmental management.
For more information, please visit: gotobermuda.com
Supporting images can be found here
Supporting footage from King Charles’ previous visit can be found here (GIVE CREDIT TO: The Bermudian Magazine)
The deep-rooted connections that connect Bermuda and Britain
Bermuda’s first settlers
About 60 percent of Bermudians are descended from enslaved people, while others trace their roots to early British settlers who arrived as survivors of the 1609 shipwreck of the Sea Venture, the British flagship on which Shakespeare based The Tempest.
The story of the Sea Venture and other shipwrecks that polluted the seas around Bermuda – as well as the island’s strategic role in many conflicts from the American Revolutionary War onwards – is told in the enormous Royal Naval Dockyard, built in the early 19th century by British convicts.
St George’s Town was the first permanent English (later British) settlement in Bermuda.
The largest of all the island’s defenses, Fort St Catherine is now a museum chronicling Bermuda’s military and colonial history. The spectacular location overlooks the beach where the castaways of the Sea Venture first came ashore. A British Union Jack still flies from the highest point, a reminder that Bermuda remains the oldest British overseas territory, while Westminster remains in control of its defense and foreign policy.
The Peppercorn Ceremony (April 22, 2026)
The Peppercorn Ceremony is an annual event that takes place in St. George’s and brings together Bermuda’s government, military and Freemasons to honor a tradition dating back to 1815, when the Old State House was rented out for a token payment for peppercorns. Although peppercorns were just a formality to fulfill the contract, they were rare and exotic at the time. Today, tradition commemorates the continued use of the Old State House by the Freemasons through a purely ceremonial gesture. The event strongly reflects Bermuda’s historical connection with Britain and demonstrates British influence through:
Colonial administration: The symbolic interest is presented to the governor, representing the British monarch, and emphasizes Bermuda’s status as a British Overseas Territory.
Legal tradition: The ‘peppercorn rent’ scheme reflects a British legal custom whereby a symbolic payment formalizes an agreement.
Ceremonial style: The spectacle – military uniforms, parades and a town crier – is directly based on British ceremonial and military traditions.
Afternoon tea by Sweet P (caterer) at Lili Bermuda
Lili Bermuda Perfumery is a Bermuda perfume house that creates handcrafted perfumes inspired by the island’s natural environment. Featuring elements such as sea air, local plants and indigenous ingredients, each fragrance is developed on the island at the historic Stewart Hall under the direction of master perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. The perfumery also offers Afternoon Tea every Wednesday and Saturday in the elegant gardens of the historic Stewart Hall in St. George. Featuring seasonal delicacies made with local ingredients, guests can enjoy delicious teas, finger sandwiches, scones with honey and jam, and petit fours.
Other British links
The island is home to red Royal Mail letterboxes, red telephone boxes and police officers wearing British security guard helmets.
St Peter’s Church in Bermuda is the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside the British Isles.
British Airways operates direct flights daily from London Heathrow to Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport.
Bermuda’s legal system, parliamentary structure and customs are all rooted in British law and governance.
Bermuda’s news and upcoming events
The Convex End-to-End (May 2) invites thousands of residents and visitors to criss-cross the island in support of local charities. Participants can choose between the full End-to-End (39.1 miles) or the Middle-to-End (23 miles), exploring the scenic coastlines and neighborhoods on foot, by bike, in a rowboat or even by swimming.
The Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix returns to the island’s beautiful Great Sound this year from May 9 to 10. Over the two days, exciting wingsail sailing catamaran races will commence between some of the world’s best sailors, in the hope of taking home first place.
Bermuda Day (May 22, 2026) is a real highlight on the island’s calendar. Thousands of people throng the streets of Hamilton to celebrate Bermuda’s rich heritage with lively parades, music and infectious dancing that lasts long into the night. The event also marks the unofficial start of summer and is followed by a long weekend.
Bermuda Carnival is one of the island’s most colorful celebrations (June 10 – 15, 2026). Carnival celebrations, delicious food, live music, band parades, boat trips, breakfast parties and much more attract revelers.
Bermuda’s biennial and world-famous Newport to Bermuda Race will take place on June 19, 2026, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the iconic event.
The Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship (July 3 – 21, 2026) will see teams of anglers catch and weigh as many fish as they can over three days, marking the first leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown series.
Cup Match (30 – 31 July 2026) revolves around an immersive annual cricket match between the island’s two rival teams: St. George’s and Somerset. Expect a vibrant crowd, concerts, wild dance parties and irresistible food and drink stalls.
One of Bermuda’s most iconic resorts, the Fairmont Southampton, will reopen in summer 2026 after a $550 million renovation – the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Guests can expect more luxurious rooms, meeting spaces and dining options, in addition to a brand new outdoor pool at the dreamy Beach Club.
From May to September 2026, harbor nights will take place every Wednesday in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda. With the glorious Bermuda sun setting over Hamilton Harbor as a backdrop, local artisans and artisans mingle alongside culinary delights, paired with live performances and cultural exhibits.
