KING CHARLES III LANDS IN BERMUDA
HRH King Charles III recently made an official visit to Bermuda as part of a structured overseas programme, over April 30th to May 2nd.
It felt quietly significant: a unique moment that connected Bermuda’s history, identity and place in the world.
Bermuda has been a British Overseas Territory since 1612, with longstanding ties to the Crown. King Charles first visited in 1970 as Prince of Wales and has returned several times since — this was his first visit as sovereign. The Royal Family’s connection extends back to Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation, when Bermuda featured in early Commonwealth visits and celebrations.
The aviation detail is also worth noting.
KING CHARLES' AIRcraft
The King arrived aboard an Airbus A321, used for UK government and royal travel and configured for long-range missions, with space for passengers, staff, security, and press, alongside secure communications. Its distinctive “United Kingdom” livery and Union Jack tail make it one of the most recognisable state aircraft in service, while its scale gives official overseas visits both logistical flexibility and a clear visual sense of state presence.
THE CORONATION WINGS
By contrast, Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 visit to Bermuda was operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) aboard a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Canopus. Derived from the military C-97, the Stratocruiser was one of the leading long-range airliners of its era, with pressurised cabins, sleeper berths, and premium transatlantic service. BOAC — the predecessor to British Airways — used it on flagship international routes, making its role in the Coronation tour a fitting marker of post-war royal travel.
aN ISLAND-WIDE ITINERARY
The King’s visit was tightly planned.
It began with a public appearance in King’s Square, St George’s, followed by a visit to St Peter’s Church: widely regarded as the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside Britain. The programme then moved across the island, including the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Trunk Island, and Hamilton, before continuing to the Royal Naval Dockyard.
The visit concluded with the opening of the Great Bay Coastguard Station and a visit to Cooper’s Island, including the UK Space Agency’s Project Nova.
As part of his engagements, King Charles enjoyed a performance by one of Bermuda’s renowned Gombey Warriors troupes (pictured above), whom are an integral part of Bermuda’s heritage.
The occasion is a reminder of the role aviation plays in connectivity. In Bermuda, that’s hard to ignore how a 21-square-mile island in the Atlantic sustains itself as a global business centre while retaining its unique culture. It feels slightly remarkable.