A brief security scare disrupted the two-day visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla to Jersey, a part of the British Isles. The scare occurred during their attendance at the Jersey Expo on Monday, July 15, 2024 but was later confirmed as a false alarm due to a drone.
The incident happened while the royal couple was interacting with local business owners and residents. The security team swiftly moved them to the nearby Pomme D’or Hotel. Eamon Fenlon, Managing Director of Jersey Dairy, said, “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.”
Matt Taylor, founder of Jersey Sea Salt, also shared his experience with King Charles before the alert. “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 mentioned.
The security issue emerged as the couple began their third engagement of the day at Weighbridge Place. After a 20-minute pause for thorough checks, King Charles and Queen Camilla resumed their duties. They returned to meet local schoolchildren and attend a tea party.
A royal source provided insight into the incident, saying, “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 is King Charles’ first to Jersey since assuming the throne. Despite the rainy weather, the royal couple received a warm welcome at St. Helier’s Royal Square. King Charles expressed his admiration for the island, describing it as “a beautiful and unique place,” and shared his affectionate memories of his late mother.
Upon arrival, King Charles and Queen Camilla were led into the square by a Royal Mace, a gift from Charles II in 1663. They walked down a red carpet, surrounded by local legal professionals, elected officials, and guests. After ascending the dais, the guests sang the national anthem. The Bailiff, president of the States Assembly, welcomed them with a Loyal Address, to which King Charles responded.
In his response, King Charles said, “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 last visit in 2012 during his late mother’s Diamond Jubilee, and expressed his excitement for creating new memories during this visit.
The king and queen also attended a special sitting of the States Assembly and the Royal Court during their visit. They were gifted locally laid duck eggs, a symbol of sustenance, replacing the old tradition of presenting the monarch with two dead ducks. Five senior seigneurs, or lords of the manor, paid homage to the royal couple.
King Charles also reflected on the island’s historic loyalty to the Crown dating back to Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, who claimed the Duchy of Normandy, including the islands, in 1106. The royal couple’s itinerary included engagements with local industries such as agriculture and fishing, and a tea party at the Pomme D’or Hotel with veterans, royal patronages, and emergency service representatives.
Despite the brief disruption, the visit carried on smoothly, underlining the royal couple’s dedication to their duties and their connection with the people of Jersey.
