King Charles charms island crowds and even meets legendary puppet Fozzie during tour of Bermuda
THE King had to meet a lot of muppets on his US tour — and now in Bermuda he’s met Fozzie Bear.
Charles posed with a puppet of Fozzie at an exhibition celebrating Bermuda resident Michael Frith, 84, one of the original team behind the Muppets and Fraggle Rock.
The 77-year-old monarch was honoured with a 21-gun salute as more than 2,000 revellers crammed the streets for a colourful party.
Children squealed in surprise as the guns blasted without warning and smoke filled the air amid whoops and cheers from the flag-waving locals, though one person fainted due to the heat.
A military band gave their rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ 1977 classic reggae song Jamming.
Charles — on his first visit as monarch to the overseas UK territory — stood on the dais at King’s Square for a royal salute as the national anthem was played and he inspected the guard.
After a four-day trip to the US where security meant the King was unable to do many walkabouts, he spent almost 25 minutes greeting people who had waited all day to get a glimpse of him.
Several youngsters were hoping for handshakes, including a four-year-old called Theo who was in a mini Royal Guards outfit.
When Charles spotted the well-dressed lad he pointed in mock surprise, then smiled and patted him warmly on the shoulder.
And his mother revealed she bought the bearskin hat and tunic from the official Buckingham Palace shop two years ago and joked “he’s worn it ever since!”
Freya, nine, and her sister Sophie, seven, said they were “very excited” to see the King and wave their flags but were not so delighted at having to return to school once Charles had left.
Retired banker Jane Gregory was one of thousands who joined the fun-filled noisy party.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I’m from England originally, it means a huge amount to me, I’m very excited.”
Locals crammed the streets, trying to give the King presents.
And Amy Kessler, who was born in America but now lives in Bermuda, held a poster that read: “I am grateful for your beautiful speech in US Congress.”
Charles also revisited St Peter’s Church, where he delivered the Speech from the Throne during his last visit to Bermuda 56 years ago in 1970, to mark the 350th Opening of the Bermudian Parliament.
Locals began gathering for their royal visitor from 8am and covered railings with union flags.
Whoever made the large banner hanging from the White Horse pub — Bermuda’s oldest — was hoping for two royal visitors.
It read: “Warm greetings to Your Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla.”
But the Queen had jetted home to the UK after the US State Visit — as planned — palace sources confirmed.
Camilla or no Camilla, there was little time for Charles to put his feet up on his three-day visit to Bermuda.
The King — known for his environmentalism — visited the seven-acre Trunk Island, where young locals learn about the region’s ecosystem.
He planted a tree on the island, known as a “living classroom”.
And Charles watched a colourful performance by the National Gombey Dance Troupe at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
