Summary

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla have attended various events during a visit to Jersey

  • It was the first visit by the King since he ascended to the throne

  • They were welcomed by a Royal Gun Salute

  • The King and Queen visited an expo showcasing the island's agriculture and aquaculture industries and its journey towards net zero

  • This visit was briefly interrupted while a concern was investigated

  • The couple were gifted seven heifers and duck eggs

  • They attended a tea party as their final event of the day

  1. Thank you for readingpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 15 July

    That is it for our coverage of the royal visit to Jersey.

    The King and Queen are staying overnight - making him the first monarch to do so for 350 years - before making their way to Guernsey on Tuesday.

    Our team today was: Ben Chapple, Chris Craddock, Georgina Barnes, Jack Silver, Julie Flanagan, Laura Price and Robert Hall.

  2. King and Queen's visit goes down a storm despite rainpublished at 18:22 British Summer Time 15 July

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the King's Parade outside Pomme d'Or Hotel, Liberation Square in St Helier, JerseyImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles and Queen Camilla have had a royal welcome in Jersey

    Despite the downpours, King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted hundreds of people in St Helier during their visit to Jersey.

    During his first visit since he ascended to the throne:

    • The royals were welcomed with a 21-gun salute, accompanied by a strong downfall of rain
    • King Charles addressed islanders in the Royal Square, speaking of his and Queen Camilla's "happy recollections" and the special connection between the island and monarchy
    • His Majesty was gifted two duck eggs - breaking a previous tradition that the monarch should be gifted two dead ducks on a silver platter when they visit
    • Jersey companies showcased their crafts to the royals at Weighbridge Place as part of the expo event
    • The King and Queen then headed back out to the crowds to greet those who had waited to see them
    • Special guests from Jersey's 12 parishes spent time with the royal couple over afternoon tea
    • A parade of musicians, cadets, scouts and brownies saw a raise in cheers followed by a raise in umbrellas as a torrential downpour arrived for the end of the event
    • But undeterred the royal couple spent time meeting with the crowd that had braved the weather to see them
  3. Beekeeper's hat the bees knees for royal visitorspublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 15 July

    Chris Craddock
    Reporting from St Helier

    Bob Hogge, 74, from the Jersey Bee Keepers Association, said he received compliments from both the King and Queen for his attire.

    The association was displaying some of its products as part of the expo for the royal visit.

    Mr Hogge said: "They tasted some mead, ate some flapjacks and appreciated both.

    "We exchanged a few words about my hat so yes, this was made for me by some Jersey bee keepers so I have to wear it."

    Mr Hogge is set to retire in a fortnight - something he explained to the Queen.

    "You don't get these opportunities very often in life, so just to have a few minutes with royalty I think is another tick in my life's experiences," he said.

    Bob Hogge
    Image caption,

    Bob Hogge said both the royals complimented his hat that was made for him by fellow beekeepers

  4. She remembered me - islander sayspublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 15 July

    Julie Flanagan
    BBC Channel Islands News

    James Landale

    People have reacted to meeting the King and Queen as they shook hands and spoke to people in the crowds.

    James Landale said he was overwhelmed the Queen had remembered meeting him a few months ago.

    He said: "Both the King and the Queen just passed us and they shook our hands.

    "I'd actually met the Queen after the Royal Maundy service in Worchester and I'm kind of in shock really, the fact she remembered me.

    "I told her I was delighted to come, it was a last minute decision but it was worth it."

  5. Being a part of the expo was "an honour"published at 17:55 British Summer Time 15 July

    Chris Craddock
    Reporting from St Helier

    Claire Haithwaite
    Image caption,

    Claire Haithwaite told the Queen she needed a shed for her pottery crafts

    Claire Haithwaite, 52, owner of Haithwaite Ceramics, said the royals were "so lovely".

    She said to be included in the expo showcasing Jersey's industries was "such an honour".

    She said: "When I was talking to the Queen in my studio, we talked about my dog Betty, we discussed her dogs - she has Jack Russells.

    "We also discussed the fact that she likes pottery and so I told her she also needed a shed like me - she agreed!

    "Maybe the King will buy her a shed for Christmas, who knows."

    Queen Camilla stroking a dog being held by a woman
  6. Expo goes down a treat with royal visitorspublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 15 July

    Chris Craddock
    Reporting from St Helier

    A range of local companies showcased the very best of Jersey at the expo event in the Weighbridge.

    Gabby Mason
    Image caption,

    Gabby Mason said she never thought she would have the Queen hold a lobster

    Gabby Mason, 31, co-owner of Jade-S Fisheries, said it had been "absolutely wonderful" to meet the Queen.

    She said: "She even picked up a lobster, she was absolutely hands on, more hands on than we expected."

    Ms Mason said the Queen asked her many questions about herself and "also a bit about the Jersey fishing industry".

    She added that as they were speaking, the King walked past, "saw there was a fishing section and actually looked really interested and shook my hand".

    "It's been really perfect... despite the weather."

  7. All smiles despite the rainpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 15 July

    Chris Craddock
    Reporting from St Helier

    Couple who are soaking wet
    Image caption,

    These tourists were among those who turned out to see the King

    The crowds have been braving strong wind and rain to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, but it has not dampened their spirits in the slightest.

    Carmen, 11, said she was "waving really fast" with excitement and the rain "made it more memorable".

    She said: "I was laughing - I found that funny.

    "It doesn't happen every day that you can go and see the King."

    Carmen had a message for the royal couple as well: "Thank you for coming, because you made everyone really happy and I see smiles everywhere."

    Charles Gullien, 38, and his family are on holiday from Blagnac in the south of France and hadn't realised the King and Queen would be visiting.

    But once they found out about the visit they couldn't believe their "luck to be here to see the King" and were happy to brave the showers.

    Smiling girl in a crowd of people
    Image caption,

    Carmen, 11, said the rain made the experience more memorable

  8. King jokes with crowdpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 15 July

    Georgina Barnes
    BBC News, Jersey

    King Charles pointing into the crowd
    Image caption,

    King Charles spoke with islanders waiting for him in the crowds

    As the King made his way round the crowds, he stopped and joked with islanders.

    "Who are you standing on?" he asked one person on top of a bollard.

    He then queried if people had "all been squashed in here for hours" as people pushed forward to see him at the barrier.

    Pat Le Ruez
    Image caption,

    Pat Le Ruez said it was "amazing" to meet the King

    Pat Le Ruez said she told the King that she had bought a union jack coat "especially" for his visit.

    "I just shook his hand and I told him how handsome he was," she explained.

    In response, the King said: "Flattery will get you everywhere."

    Another islander then thanked him "for coming on my birthday", whilst someone shouted "god bless you" as he walked away.

  9. Canine community turned out to meet the royal visitorspublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 15 July

    Georgina Barnes
    BBC News, Jersey

    It was not just islanders in St Helier hoping for a glimpse of the King and Queen - the island's canine community were snapping at the royal couple's heels.

    Reports of a King Charles Spaniel spotted in the crowd could not be confirmed, however.

    Dog on a lead
    Image caption,

    Elis was leaping with excitement

    Dog stood between owner's legs
    Image caption,

    Zaya was calm and composed as she waited for the Royals

    Dog coming close to the camera
    Image caption,

    Nova caught a glimpse of the King and Queen in St Helier

    Smiling dog
    Image caption,

    Lola wore her best Union Jack bow for the day

  10. Islanders run for shelter as heavy rain hits royal visitpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 15 July

    Chris Craddock
    Reporting from St Helier

    As the final public engagement for the royal couple came to an end a heavy downpour fell in Jersey.

    People scrambled for cover, but after about 10 minutes the rain eased off allowing the King and Queen to speak to the crowds at Liberation Square.

    Downpour with people sheltering
  11. First overnight stay for a king in more than 350 yearspublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 15 July

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Jersey dignitariesImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles and Queen Camilla will stay at Government House - the official residence of the island's Lieutenant-Governor

    It’s the first time a king has stayed in Jersey for more than 350 years, the island's Lieutenant-Governor has said.

    Vice Adm Jerry Kyd CBE said after the royal visit was announced he went through the Government House archives.

    He said he found the last time a King stayed overnight in Jersey was in 1649 – when Jersey stayed loyal to the Crown and protected Charles II during the English Civil War.

    This special link was referenced by both Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq and the King when they spoke in the Royal Square.

  12. The King's first visit to Jersey in 1968published at 16:05 British Summer Time 15 July

    King Charles as part of an excavation projectImage source, SOCIÉTÉ JERSIAISE PHOTO ARCHIVE
    Image caption,

    The King visited Jersey as part of an excavation project for his first visit to the island

    The King's first visit took place as part of an excavation project in 1968.

    The then Prince of Wales took part in excavations at La Cotte with Cambridge University to record and preserve Neanderthal behaviour.

    Linda Romeril, from Jersey Archive, said his commitment to excavation had "continued throughout his lifetime".

    "I don't think this time he'll be able to get down to Ouaisné into the cave there but I'm sure he's got very fond memories of that time in the island," she said.

  13. Expo visit temporarily paused while concern investigatedpublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 15 July

    PA Media

    Queen Camilla accepting an ice creamImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The expo is showcasing Jersey industry and products for the royal couple and later the public

    The King and Queen were pulled away from their expo engagement in Jersey because of a "false alarm".

    Queen Camilla was eating an ice cream when a member of the royal contingent whispered something to her.

    Both she and the King were then pulled away and taken into the nearby Pomme d’Or hotel.

    It is understood a member of the visit team raised a concern, and after investigation, it turned out to be a false alarm.

    A full background check was carried out before the programme resumed shortly afterwards.

  14. Landlord pleased by King's interest in pub's historypublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 15 July

    Man stood outside a pub

    Landlord Sean Murphy, 61, said King Charles seemed "genuinely interested and surprised" by history of the Lamplighter pub, in St Helier, Jersey.

    He told the King the Union Flag on the pub's Britannia statuette was the only one allowed by the Nazis during the occupation in World War Two.

    Mr Murphy said he was hoping to get a "brief glimpse or a photo" of the King so was "stoked" to when the royal car stopped and the King struck up a conversation.

    He said it was "fantastic" to meet the King but he did not get a chance to tell him the pub stocked Windsor Breweries beer, which is brewed next to the royal castle.

    He said: "My head's going to be large for the next few days and I'm going to be asking for a royal warrant next."

    Outside of the Lamplighter pub in St Helier, covered in flags for the royal visitImage source, PA Media
  15. The Channel Islands' unique relationship with the Crownpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 15 July

    During her 70-year reign Queen Elizabeth II was known as the Duke of Normandy in Jersey and Guernsey, a title her son King Charles III inherited.

    The quirk hints at the 800-year-old relationship between the Crown and the two bailiwicks off the coast of France.

    Unlike many parts of the former British Empire the Channel Islands were never conquered or claimed by Britain - in fact they were the ones doing the conquering.

    The islands were part of the kingdom of Normandy when William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

    When the Norman territories were lost to France during the reign of King John the Channel Islands swore allegiance to the Crown and were rewarded with a high level of independence.

    Prince Charles addressing the States of JerseyImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles - then prince - pictured in the Jersey States chamber in 2004 during a visit to mark the 800th anniversary of the island's allegiance to the Crown

    Both territories maintain a unique relationship with the UK and the British Crown with their own laws, languages and traditions.

    Neither bailiwick is part of the UK, they are classed as Crown Dependencies with both having their own governments, raising their own taxes and minting their own money.

    The UK oversees international affairs and is responsible for ensuring the islands have "good government" and the Crown, through the Privy Council and the islands' lieutenant-governors, ratifies laws passed by each island's States.

    Both Jersey and Guernsey have legal traditions based on Norman French law, though legislation has been updated in recent decades to align them closer to UK law.

    The main official language of both Guernsey and Jersey was French until the middle of the 20th Century and it is still used in some administrative settings.

  16. Cheers from the crowd as King and Queen went walkaboutpublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 15 July

    Robert Hall
    BBC Channel Islands News

    King Charles meeting people in St Helier, JerseyImage source, PA Media

    It started as a whisper in the crowds.

    Hundreds had been lining the second stage of the royal route expecting a brief glimpse of the motorcade.

    But moments after it set off from Jersey's States building word spread that the King and Queen were going walkabout.

    There were cheers as the royal couple moved down both sides of the street shaking hands or pausing for a brief chat.

    The King had made it clear that he and the Queen wanted to meet as many people as possible on this brief visit and he made good on his promise.

  17. Special relationship of island and Crown highlightedpublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 15 July

    Ammar Ebrahim
    Reporting from Jersey's Royal Square

    Bailiff, King and Queen on a platformImage source, PA Media

    From about 11:30 BST the Royal Square started to fill up - the morning downpour not dampening islanders' enthusiasm for a momentous day.

    Many islanders occupied the raised seating on the sides of the square, waving flags and armed with umbrellas and waterproofs.

    Politicians, advocates, faith leaders and other public figures took their seats in the middle of the square.

    As news filtered in that the King and Queen were on their way, the anticipation started to grow.

    Another downpour came just minutes before his and her majesty arrived.

    When the King arrived he seemed in good spirts, talking happily with the Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham.

    The King and Queen followed the royal mace procession to the stage - the mace a gift from King Charles II to Jersey when the island gave him sanctuary during the English civil war and symbolic of the special relationship between Jersey and the monarchy.

    Both the King and Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq paid tribute in their speeches to that special relationship.

    The King spoke of his fondness for Jersey and was then gifted two duck eggs.

    King and Queen on a platform in Jersey's Royal SquareImage source, PA Media
  18. Buzz of excitement as King and Queen greet crowdspublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 15 July

    Georgina Barnes
    BBC News, Jersey

    Queen Camilla meeting people in the crowd

    The centre of St Helier is buzzing with excitement from glimpses and handshakes with the royals.

    Now the rain has let up, the King and Queen have left their car to greet people waiting at the barriers.

    As the Queen walked over, islanders woo’d and cheered as she shook almost every person and child’s hand, with one thanking her "for visiting our small island".

    She was kind, composed and left smiles in her wake.

  19. Meeting the Queen was short and sweetpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 15 July

    Georgina Barnes
    BBC News, Jersey

    A seven-year old girl who just shook Queen Camilla's hand said the experience was "great" but the conversation was short and sweet, with the Queen simply saying "hello".

    Her mother said it was "very exciting" for the whole family and the Queen even noticed her four-year-old and bent down to shake her hand as well.

    Family of four behind barrier for royal visit
  20. Dead ducks tradition replaced by gift of locally-laid eggspublished at 14:40 British Summer Time 15 July

    Duck's eggs being presented to the King
    Image caption,

    Pamela Bell, La Dame de la Trinité, presented the eggs to the King

    Locally-laid duck eggs have been gifted to the King and Queen.

    It was an update to an 800-year-old custom of giving two dead ducks on a silver platter to a new monarch on their first visit to the island.

    The island has six seigneurs - previously feudal lords but now purely ceremonial titles - and the tradition dates back to Norman times.

    "What really stood out was the smile on his majesty's face when he was presented with two mallard duck eggs," said BBC reporter Laura Price from the scene.

    She said you could "tell by the smile on his face he was very pleased to be receiving two eggs" rather than the traditional gift.