The King and Queen visit the Channel Islands

Monday 15th July - Jersey

At Royal Square, Their Majesties joined a special sitting of the States Assembly, the island’s parliament comprising 49 elected members.

On arrival, The King and Queen were led by the Royal Mace of 1663, which was gifted to the island by King Charles II in recognition of the island’s loyalty to the Crown.

Addressing the Assembly, The King said:

"Mr Bailiff, I am most grateful to you and to 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.

My wife and I have such happy recollections of the welcome we received when we were last here in 2012, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of my late mother. During that visit we met so many Islanders and learned of the high regard and affection in which she was held, and also a great deal about your beautiful and unique island. We look forward to doing so again today during our time here in St Helier.

It is particularly special to know that I am standing here today in the place where you, Mr Bailiff, read the proclamation to announce my accession to the throne, the same spot where my late mother’s proclamation was read and that, too, of King Charles II in 1649, long before he was acknowledged in other parts of his realm. This truly is an historic place.

Jersey has one of the oldest connections to the Crown and we are delighted to be here once again to celebrate the special and close relationship which binds us together.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will attend all your deliberations for the benefit and prosperity of this Island."

Charles R

A Royal Gun Salute was fired by the 1781 Militia at People’s Park.

In St Helier, Their Majesties heard about the island’s agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries on their journey to net zero.

Later in the afternoon, The King presented the New Colour to the Jersey Sea Cadets in their 75th anniversary year.

The charity offers maritime training and leadership experiences for children aged between 10 and 18. Having started here in 1947, Jersey has the largest sea cadet contingent in the British Isles.

At The King's Parade in Liberation Square, Their Majesties observed a march past of the Band of the Island of Jersey, Jersey Field Squadron, veterans, emergency services, cadet units, Scouts and Guides.

Following the Parade, The King and Queen joined a community tea party with local residents, volunteers, parishioners and charity workers.

Tuesday 16th July - Guernsey

Continuing their time in the Channel Islands, The King and Queen have visited Guernsey.

Today’s engagements showcase the unique local culture and heritage of the communities of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, and the Bailiwick’s commitment to supporting biodiversity, sustainability and combatting climate change.

At St Peter Port, Their Majesties attended the Special Sitting of the States of Deliberation. 

Guernsey has its own parliament, laws, judiciary, government, flag, stamps and banknotes. Records suggest that the States of Deliberation has existed in some form since the 15th Century and probably even earlier. Nowadays, it comprises 40 voting members and it has become tradition that a special sitting takes place when the Monarch visits Guernsey for the first time.

At Crown Pier, The King and Queen met local exhibitors and community groups, including traditional Guernsey dancers and the island’s newly formed Nature Commission.

Later, The Queen toured Hauteville House, the home of Victor Hugo during his exile in Guernsey. Many masterpieces were written here, including Les Misérables, Toilers of the Sea, and The Man Who Laughs. The house is a work of art, designed by Victor Hugo himself.

To end the day, Their Majesties saw granted a Royal Title to the rare Golden Guernsey Goat breed, which were rescued by Miriam Milbourne from oblivion after the discovered some in the scrub herds of the island in 1924.

Golden Guernsey Goats are a rare breed originating from Guernsey, distinguished by their golden skin and hair, as the name suggests. They are a minority breed and considered ‘at risk’ on the Rare Breeds Watchlist.

At Les Cotils, The King and Queen met two separate delegations from Alderney and Sark.

Alderney’s delegation, led by the President of the States of Alderney, included members of the States of Alderney and Court of Alderney, representatives of a number of charities and third sector groups, showcasing the island’s thriving voluntary sector, and children from St Anne’s School who will read ‘Alderney’s Momentous Question’, which is sometimes also known as ‘the Alderney poem’ and describes the 1940 evacuation from the island in the Second World War, and the Homecoming five years later.

Sark’s Seigneur Major Christopher Beaumont led a delegation that also represents a broad cross-section of the island’s community. 

Sark school children performed songs in the island’s native language, Sercquaise, including a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for Her Majesty.