Daily Mail reported that Queen Camilla and King Charles experienced a brief evacuation during their visit to St Helier, Jersey, due to a security concern.
Despite the disruption, the scare proved to be a false alarm, and Their Majesties continued their engagements, meeting the public and attending official ceremonies.
Queen Camilla was hurried away from an ice cream van in Weighbridge Place when the security scare occurred. She is set to celebrate her 77th birthday on Wednesday. The royal couple was taken to the nearby Pomme d'Or hotel for a brief respite.
No arrests were made, and an investigation was initiated to determine the source of the scare. Members of the public were also escorted to the hotel, where they had a chance to meet the King and Queen. Queen Camilla was stylishly attired in a turquoise belted dress topped with a waterproof trench coat.
During the arrival ceremony at Royal Square, a light-hearted moment occurred when Queen Camilla humorously removed her coat, drawing a smile from King Charles. The King was presented with locally-laid duck eggs, breaking from the traditional gift of dead mallards. He expressed his pleasure in returning to Jersey and reminisced about his late mother's visit in 2012.
The King praised the island as "beautiful and unique" and highlighted its special place in the heart of his late mother. Later in the day, the couple walked down a red carpet lined with locals and officials. The Bailiff of Jersey formally welcomed the couple, and King Charles gave a heartfelt response.
The King and Queen were also presented with heifer cows, which led to another amusing moment. Despite the morning's scare, the couple continued their planned activities, including a public walkabout. King Charles, who also holds the title Duke of Normandy in the islands, underscored the historical bond between the Islands and the Crown.
King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, has recently returned to public duties. The royal visit is scheduled to conclude a day before the State Opening of Parliament, coinciding with Camilla's 77th birthday. Their itinerary also includes a visit to Guernsey where they will participate in a special session of the States of Deliberation.
Islanders will honor the occasion by raising a loyal toast to "The Duke of Normandy, our King." To mark the royal visits, both Jersey and Guernsey declared public holidays. However, the couple will not be visiting Alderney and Sark due to time limitations.
Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd highlighted the strong historical relationship between the Crown and the self-governing Crown Dependencies. Deputy Lyndon Trott expressed enthusiasm for showcasing sustainability initiatives in support of King Charles' global efforts.
The Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard McMahon, expressed excitement for the visit, stating, "It will be a great privilege to welcome Their Majesties to the Bailiwick for the first time as King and Queen." He further emphasized the deep and lasting connections between the Crown and the Islands.
Queen Camilla reportedly mentioned to author Lee Child that King Charles "won't slow down and won't do what he's told," adding a personal touch to the day's events. Despite the brief scare, the royal couple's visit highlighted the close ties between the British Crown and the Crown Dependencies. They continue to fulfill their engagements with grace and dedication.
In summary, Queen Camilla and King Charles were briefly evacuated due to a security scare in Jersey, which was later deemed a false alarm. Despite the interruption, they continued their royal duties and engagements, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between the Crown and the Islands.
