King Charles has arrived in Bermuda for a three-day royal trip following a memorable state visit to the United States. The King and Queen Camilla were seen off from Washington by President Donald Trump before touching down on the island on Thursday evening.
Whisky tariff breakthrough
Mr Trump announced he would remove tariffs from Scottish whisky, prompting Buckingham Palace to say the King would be toasting the President with a dram. The President credited Charles and Camilla's intervention for the decision. Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scottish Distillers Association, said distillers could breathe a little easier following the move.
The development vindicates Downing Street's decision to send the King on what some viewed as a risky trip to repair the UK-US special relationship.
Arrival in Bermuda
The King and Queen thanked the US for their welcome in a message on X, saying: "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."
Arriving at LF Wade International Airport at dusk, the UK government's VIP Airbus plane flew the Royal Standard and Bermuda flag from the cockpit window. Charles was greeted by Governor Andrew Murdoch, Premier David Burt and his wife Kristin, with a small guard of honour from the Royal Bermuda Regiment.
The formalities will be low-key, with a ceremonial welcome featuring a 21-gun salute planned for Friday. As he reached the end of the red carpet, the King pointed at the travelling UK media and said "you made it" before climbing into his waiting car.
