King Charles and Queen Camilla, during their two-day trip to Jersey, a part of the British Isles, underwent a short interruption in their scheduled activities due to a security incident. The incident turned out to be a false alarm later attributed to a drone.
The security team swiftly escorted the royal couple to the nearby Pomme D’or Hotel for safety during their attendance at the Jersey Expo on Monday, July 15, 2024. Their interaction with local business owners and the public was briefly disrupted due to the incident.
“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,” said Eamon Fenlon, the Managing Director of Jersey Dairy, recalling the incident. Matt Taylor, founder of Jersey Sea Salt, also recounted his encounter with the king just 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 explained.
The royal couple was at Weighbridge Place for their third engagement of the day when the security concern arose. After a brief pause of approximately 20 minutes, King Charles and Queen Camilla resumed their duties. The couple continued to engage with local schoolchildren and attended a tea party following thorough safety checks.
A royal source stated, “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 trip to Jersey is King Charles’ first since he ascended the throne. Despite the rainy weather, the royal couple was welcomed with cheers as they arrived at St. Helier’s Royal Square. King Charles expressed his admiration for the island, referring to it as “a beautiful and unique place,” warmly remembering his late mother.
Upon their arrival, a Royal Mace, a gift from Charles II in 1663, escorted them into the square. They walked down a red carpet surrounded by local legal professionals, Jurats, elected officials, and guests. After ascending the dais, the guests sang the national anthem. The Bailiff, the president of the States Assembly, delivered a Loyal Address to welcome them, which King Charles responded to.
“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 recalled their last visit in 2012, marking the Diamond Jubilee of his late mother, and expressed his eagerness to create new memories during this visit.
The royal couple participated in a special sitting of the States Assembly and the Royal Court during their visit. In a modern twist to an old tradition, they were presented with locally laid duck eggs instead of two dead ducks. Five senior seigneurs or lords of the manor paid homage by clasping hands with the monarch.
King Charles reflected on the island’s loyalty to the Crown, dating back to 1106 when William the Conqueror’s son, Henry I, seized the Duchy of Normandy, which included the islands. The king and queen’s itinerary encompassed visits to 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.
In spite of the brief interruption, the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla proceeded smoothly, emphasizing their dedication to their royal obligations and their connection with the people of Jersey.
