24/04/2026
Bermuda is set to take centre stage this spring as King Charles III makes his first official visit to the island as Sovereign. Taking place from 30 April to 2 May 2026, the visit marks a significant moment for the British Overseas Territory and its enduring relationship with the UK.
His Majesty’s last official visit to Bermuda was in 1970 to read the Speech from the Throne and open the 350th year of parliamentary government in Bermuda. This will be the first Sovereign visit in 16 years, following Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s visited in 2009 to join celebrations of the 400th anniversary of settlement, and comes some 73 years after they first visited the island in 1953.
Following his State Visit to the United States, His Majesty’s time in Bermuda will spotlight the island’s unique blend of heritage, community, and forward-looking environmental innovation. The visit will begin with a ceremonial welcome in Hamilton, featuring a Guard of Honour and 21-gun salute, setting the tone for a programme designed to showcase the very best of Bermudian culture and identity.
Throughout the visit, The King will engage with a broad cross-section of island life, from meeting young people participating in environmental education programmes with the Bermuda Zoological Society in a living classroom session, to learning about vital biodiversity and conservation efforts protecting Bermuda’s fragile ecosystems.
Culture and heritage will also take centre stage, with His Majesty meeting local creatives and exploring Bermuda’s complex history, including its links to the transatlantic slave trade, offering a deeper understanding of the island’s past and present. At the waterfront, he will connect with youth organisations and athletes preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, highlighting Bermuda’s commitment to future generations.
The visit will also underscore Bermuda’s role on the global stage, as The King is introduced to pioneering initiatives including a new collaboration with the UK Space Agency to develop a telescope site on the island, supporting international efforts to monitor space debris and advance space sustainability.
Concluding with the official opening of the new Great Bay Coast Guard Station, the visit reinforces Bermuda’s strategic importance, as well as its leadership in maritime safety and environmental stewardship.
For more information, please visit: gotobermuda.com
The deep-rooted connections that bind Bermuda and Britain
Bermuda’s initial settlers
Some 60 percent of Bermudians are descended from enslaved people, while others trace their roots to early British settlers who arrived as survivors of the 1609 shipwreck of the Sea Venture, the British flagship on which Shakespeare based The Tempest.
The story of the Sea Venture and other shipwrecks that litter the seas around Bermuda – as well as the island’s strategic role in many conflicts from the American War of Independence onwards – is told at the vast Royal Naval Dockyard, built in the early 19th century by British convicts.
St George’s town was the first permanent English (later British) settlement in Bermuda.
The largest of all the island’s defences, Fort St Catherine, is now a museum chronicling Bermuda’s military and colonial history. Its spectacular position overlooks the very beach where the castaways of the Sea Venture first came ashore. A British Union Jack still flies from its tallest point, a reminder that Bermuda remains the oldest British Overseas Territory, with Westminster continuing to retain control of its defence and foreign policy.
The Peppercorn Ceremony (22nd April 2026)
The Peppercorn Ceremony is an annual event which takes place in St. George’s, bringing together Bermuda’s government, military, and Freemasons to honour a tradition dating back to 1815, when the Old State House was leased for a symbolic peppercorn payment. Although just a formality to honour the contract, at the time peppercorns were rare and exotic. Today, the tradition commemorates the Freemasons’ continued use of the Old State House through a purely ceremonial gesture. The event strongly reflects Bermuda’s historic connection to Britain and demonstrates British influence through:
Colonial governance: The symbolic rent is presented to the Governor, representing the British monarch, highlighting Bermuda’s status as a British Overseas Territory.
Legal tradition: The “peppercorn rent” arrangement mirrors a British legal custom where a token payment formalises an agreement.
Ceremonial style: The pageantry - military uniforms, parades, and a Town Crier - draws directly on British ceremonial and military traditions.
Afternoon tea by Sweet P (caterer) at Lili Bermuda
Lili Bermuda Perfumery is a Bermuda-based fragrance house that creates handcrafted perfumes inspired by the island’s natural environment. Each scent captures elements like ocean air, local plants, and native ingredients, and is developed on the island at historic Stewart Hall under the direction of master perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. The perfumery also offers Afternoon Tea every Wednesday and Saturday in the elegant gardens of St. George’s historic Stewart Hall. Featuring seasonal treats made with local ingredients, guests can indulge in fine teas, finger sandwiches, scones with honey and jam, and petit fours.
Other British links
Red Royal Mail postboxes, red phone boxes and policemen in British-style custodian helmets can be found on the island.
Bermuda’s St Peter’s Church is the oldest Anglican church in continuous use outside of the British Isles.
British Airways operates daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport.
Bermuda’s legal system, parliamentary structure, and customs are all rooted in British law and governance.
Bermuda’s news and upcoming events
The Convex End-to-End (2nd May) invites thousands of locals and visitors to traverse the island in support of local charities. Participants can choose between the full End-to-End (24.1 miles) or the Middle-to-End (14 miles), taking in scenic coastlines and neighbourhoods by foot, bike, rowboat, or even by swimming.
The Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix will return to island’s stunning Great Sound this year from 9th – 10th May. Across the two days, exhilarating wing-sailed foiling catamaran racing is set to commence between some of the world’s best sailors, in the hope of taking home the first-place crown.
Bermuda Day (22nd May 2026) is a true highlight of the island’s calendar. Thousands of people crowd the streets of Hamilton to celebrate Bermuda’s rich heritage with vibrant parades, music and infectious dancing that stretches long into the night. The event also marks the unofficial beginning of summer and is followed by a long weekend.
Bermuda Carnival is another of the island’s most colourful celebrations (10th – 15th June 2026). Carnival-style parties, mouthwatering food, live music, parades of bands, boat rides, breakfast parties and more entice revellers.
On 19th June 2026, Bermuda’s biennial and world-famous Newport to Bermuda Race will take place, commemorating what will be the iconic event’s 120-year anniversary.
At the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship (3rd – 21st July 2026), teams of anglers catch and weigh as many fish as they can in three days, in what marks the first leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown series.
Cup Match (30th – 31st July 2026) centres around an immersive annual cricket match between the island’s two rival teams – St. George’s and Somerset. Expect roaring crowds, concerts, wild dance parties and irresistible food and drink stalls.
One of Bermuda’s most iconic resorts, the Fairmont Southampton, is set to reopen in Summer 2026 following a $550m renovation - the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Guests can expect upgraded guest rooms, meeting spaces, and dining outlets, in addition to a brand-new outdoor pool at the dreamy Beach Club.
Harbour Nights are occurring every Wednesday from May – September 2026 in Bermuda’s capital city of Hamilton. With the glorious Bermuda sun setting on Hamilton Harbour as a backdrop, local crafters and artisans intermingle alongside culinary delights, paired with live performances and cultural expositions.
