King Charles III arrives in Bermuda on Thursday for a three-day visit, following his state visit to the United States. The island has been swept up in frantic preparations to ensure everything is perfect for the monarch. However, one notable item from the island's history will be conspicuously absent during his tour.
Church Removes Photo to Avoid Embarrassment
St Peter's, the oldest Anglican church outside Britain and dating back 414 years, has removed a large photograph of Charles's last visit in 1982, when he was accompanied by Princess Diana, who was heavily pregnant with Prince William. Church leaders feared the King might be mortified to see the reminder of his broken marriage and his relationship with Queen Camilla.
"We removed it recently," confessed Rev Thomas Nisbett, 67. "The ladies of the church thought it would be more sensitive if that reminder of the past wasn't there. And one doesn't argue with the ladies of the church." In its place, the display case now holds a photograph of Charles opening Parliament during his first visit to the island in 1970.
Preparations Across the Island
Gardners are trimming roadsides, painters are touching up businesses and homes, and builders are racing to complete construction projects. Hunters are even culling wild chickens, which have overrun the island since Hurricane Emily destroyed thousands of domestic chicken coops in 1987. Mark Outerbridge, senior biodiversity officer for Bermuda's Department of Environment, noted: "Feral chickens are all over the island. They're a problem for farmers, eating crops and fruit. And there's the noise issue with loud roosters that crow all through the night."
In King's Square in St George's, workers are unclogging blocked sewers to avoid any unpleasant odors during the King's visit. A worker hauling grease from a manhole commented: "I hope the King is happy! It's not like Charles will be inspecting our sewers, but it wouldn't be good if they overflowed when he's giving a speech. Sewage everywhere!"
Mixed Reactions from Locals
Taxi driver Mark Steede complained about the disruptions: "Why do they have to do this clean-up for King Charles during the day, block traffic and make a mess of the roads?" Entrepreneur Hunter Pitcher added: "They're cleaning up every street where Charles is going to be driven. Every hedge and lawn and tree is being manicured. The rest of the island – not so much."
At the Great Bay Coast Guard Station, which Charles will officially open, workers are scrambling to finish the parking area and install technology. One worker admitted: "Charles can come, but I don't know that we'll have the station operating by then."
Potential Awkward Moments
Charles will meet Premier David Burt, who has described independence as the "next step" for Bermuda and called British rule "unacceptable in a modern democracy." No major protests are expected, but security has been heightened. A senior police officer said: "We'll be taking no chances." Police hope to avoid a repeat of the 1970 incident when a suspicious object in his bed turned out to be spare bed legs.
The King will also visit an exhibition on the slave trade, having previously expressed "personal sorrow" but stopped short of an apology. Lawyer and historian Cheryl Packwood stated: "The least the King can do is apologise for slavery. The monarchy had slaves, supported slavery and signed all the legislation regarding slavery."
A Moment of Respite
Despite the busy schedule, Charles may find a moment of calm at St Peter's church. Rev Nisbett said: "He will be given the opportunity to pray, if he wishes. He is, after all, the Defender of the Faith." Perhaps he should pray that the sewers do not overflow.
