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King Charles visits Bermuda in first British overseas territory trip
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Large crowds have turned out to see King Charles III at a ceremonial welcome in Bermuda. The King, who was not accompanied by Queen Camilla, arrived in the territory's capital of Hamilton on Thursday evening, after a four-day state visit to the US. It marks the King's first visit to a British overseas territory as monarch. The trip was also a change of pace for the King, whose visit to the US was seen as the biggest diplomatic moment of his reign. While it is the King's first visit to Bermuda as sovereign, he previously came in 1970 for the opening of the island's parliament and toured territory in an open-top car. As part of the welcome on Friday, he inspected the Royal Bermuda Regiment of the British Army before shaking hands with members of the public who lined the streets of former capital St George. Those who gathered ahead of the King's appearance saw a marching band and military procession pass through the town, before his arrival was marked with a 21-gun salute. The band later treated the King to a rendition of Jamming by Bob Marley and the Wailers. People of all ages carried the union jack and took photographs of the King. Four-year-old Theo attended the event with his mother, wearing a King's guardsman outfit which caught the monarch's attention. Theo's mother said she purchased the outfit from the shop at Buckingham Palace two years ago. "He's worn it ever since!", she joked. King Charles then went on to visit The Living Classroom on Bermuda's Trunk Island, an initiative for young people to learn about the island's eco-system. During the visit, Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) staff performed a health check on a Bermuda Longtail, also known as a white-tailed tropic bird. BZS are also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the island's aquarium museum, for which the King stopped by to cut the cake. The King has been largely well received throughout his visits over the last week, including when US President Donald Trump told the monarch his mother thought he was "cute". However, there had been concerns a worsening relationship between the UK and the US could make for an uncomfortable visit. In recent months, President Trump criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer multiple times over the UK's unwillingness to get involved in America and Israel's war with Iran. The King indirectly addressed the tensions in a speech in front of the US Congress, which received a standing-ovation. In the speech, the King hailed an "indispensable" UK and US partnership. A parting gift came from Trump who lifted tariffs on Scottish whisky "in honour of the King and Queen". King Charles' visit to Bermuda will take place over two days, before he returns to the UK. Part of the State Opening of Parliament, the King's speech sets out the government's political agenda. The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon. BBC's Sarah Smith looks at whether King Charles' charm offensive with President Trump made a difference to US-UK relations. As the UK's head of state, King Charles has number of parliamentary and constitutional duties. New York's mayor made the comments hours before meeting King Charles, but it's unclear if he brought up the diamond.
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