King Charles and Queen Camilla, during their two-day trip to Jersey in the British Isles, had a brief interruption in their schedule due to a security issue.
The royal pair were at the Jersey Expo on July 15, 2024, when their security personnel swiftly escorted them to the nearby Pomme D’or Hotel. The cause of the disruption was later identified as a false alarm, potentially triggered by a drone sighting.
At the time of the security alert, the king and queen were engaged in conversations with local entrepreneurs and residents. Eamon Fenlon, the managing director of Jersey Dairy, recounted, “I had just given the queen an ice cream and turned to get one myself. When I looked back, she had been whisked away. Some people mentioned a drone, but I’m unsure if that’s official.”
Similarly, Matt Taylor, founder of Jersey Sea Salt, shared his interaction with the king just before the security situation. “He stopped at the stall and said, ‘Ooh, sea salt.’ I invited him to chat, but his security team appeared and said he had to leave immediately. They were quite stern but not panicked. It’s a shame as he had stopped to chat to us of his own accord,” Taylor said.
The security issue arose while the royal couple had just started their third engagement of the day at Weighbridge Place. After a brief pause of about 20 minutes for thorough checks, King Charles and Queen Camilla resumed their duties, meeting with local schoolchildren and joining a tea party.
A source close to the royals stated on the matter: “There was a minor concern, but an investigation revealed it was a false alarm. All necessary precautions were taken, and the event resumed shortly after that.”
This visit was King Charles’ first time in Jersey since he became king. He expressed his joy at returning to the island, referring to it as “a beautiful and unique place,” and shared his deep affection for his late mother. Despite the rain, the royal couple received a warm welcome in St. Helier’s Royal Square.
Upon their arrival, they were led into the square with a Royal Mace, a gift from Charles II in 1663. They walked down a red carpet surrounded by local legal professionals, Jurats, elected officials, and guests. As the king and queen ascended the dais, the attendees sang the national anthem. The Bailiff, the president of the States Assembly, welcomed them with a Loyal Address, which was followed by a response from King Charles.
King Charles expressed his gratitude, “Mr. Bailiff, I am most grateful to you and the States for the warm welcome you have extended to both my wife and myself and for the assurances of devotion, loyalty, and allegiance to the Crown you have expressed on behalf of the people of Jersey.” He fondly recalled their 2012 visit to celebrate his late mother’s Diamond Jubilee and expressed his eagerness to make new memories during this visit.
During their visit, the king and queen attended a special sitting of the States Assembly and the Royal Court. They received gifts of locally laid duck eggs, a symbol of sustenance, changing the ancient tradition of presenting the monarch with two dead ducks. Five senior seigneurs, or lords of the manor, paid homage, each stepping up and clasping hands with the monarch.
The visit to Jersey also gave King Charles the opportunity to reflect on the island’s historical loyalty to the Crown, dating back to Henry I, William the Conqueror’s son, who took over the Duchy of Normandy, including the islands, in 1106. The royal couple’s itinerary included various duties, such as visits to local industries like agriculture and fishing, and a tea party at the Pomme D’or Hotel with veterans, royal patronages, and emergency service representatives.
Despite the brief interruption, the visit of the king and queen went on without any further issues, showcasing their dedication to their royal responsibilities and their connection with the people of Jersey.
