During a two-day visit to the island of Jersey, part of the British Isles, King Charles and Queen Camilla experienced a security scare that briefly interrupted their engagements.
The royal couple was attending the Jersey Expo on Monday, July 15, 2024 when their security team intervened, whisking them to safety at the nearby Pomme D’or Hotel. The incident, though alarming, was later confirmed as a false alarm, believed to be caused by a drone.
The scare occurred as the King and Queen were engaging with local business owners and members of the public. Managing director of Jersey Dairy, Eamon Fenlon recalled, “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, described his encounter with the king moments before the security 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 said.
When the security concern arose, the royal couple had just begun their third engagement of the day at Weighbridge Place. After a brief hiatus of around 20 minutes, during which thorough checks were conducted, King Charles and Queen Camilla were able to return to their public duties. They resumed their visit by meeting local schoolchildren and attending a tea party.
A royal source commented on the incident: “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 marks King Charles’ first trip to Jersey since ascending to the throne. He expressed his delight in returning to the island, which he described as “a beautiful and unique place,” with high regard and affection for his late mother. The royal couple arrived in St. Helier’s Royal Square, greeted with cheers despite the rainy weather.
When they arrived, they were escorted into the square by a Royal Mace, a gift from Charles II in 1663. They proceeded down a red carpet flanked by local legal professionals, Jurats, elected officials, and guests. As the king and queen ascended the dais, the guests sang the national anthem. The Bailiff, who is the president of the States Assembly, then gave a Loyal Address to welcome them, which was followed by a response from King Charles.
“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,” said King Charles. He reminisced about their last visit in 2012, marking the Diamond Jubilee of his late mother, and looked forward to creating new memories during this visit.
As part of their visit, the king and queen attended a special sitting of the States Assembly and the Royal Court. They were gifted locally laid duck eggs, a symbol of sustenance, replacing 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 was also marked by King Charles’ reflection on the island’s loyalty to the Crown, dating back to William the Conqueror’s son, Henry I, who seized the Duchy of Normandy, including the islands, in 1106. The king and queen’s schedule included various engagements, such as visiting 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 king and queen’s visit continued smoothly, highlighting their commitment to their royal duties and connection with Jersey’s people.