The Governor of Bermuda today saw Bermuda’s official baton to be used in an international relay and introduced to King Charles III.

The baton will make its way across Bermuda during several school events before being presented to the King on Friday during his visit.

It will make its way to Glasgow, Scotland, for the 2026 Commonwealth Games Kings’ Baton Relay in July.

Syriah Lottimore, a Bermudian athlete, said: “To our young people, this is for you.

“Bermuda’s baton represents possibility; it represents your journey, your potential and everything that lays ahead.

“As we look to the future, let today serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together in support of sport and community.”

The baton was presented to Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, and other dignitaries at the newly refurbished Government House in Pembroke.

It was one of 74 offered to Commonwealth nations taking part in the games and offered the chance to customise their own batons.

The batons were crafted from ash wood collected from Scotland and will be reunited during the games’ opening ceremony.

Ms Lottimore said the baton’s procession across the island would “connect our schools, our communities and our athletes”.

She added that it would reflect the dreams and hard work of Bermudians to represent the island on a global stage.

Ms Lottimore said: “This initiative is about more than the passing of a baton — it is about the passing of opportunity, inspiration and responsibility from one generation to the next.

“Bermuda’s baton itself tells a story — one that reflects our island.

“It represents our culture, our natural beauty and our deep connection to sport. It is a symbol of who we are and what we stand for.”

The baton was designed by Bermudian artist Chyna Talbot to reflect three aspects of Bermuda’s culture.

She explained that its three sides in turn celebrated the island’s architecture and nature, Gombeys and Bermuda’s Olympic team, which she said carried “not only this baton, but the hopes of the nation that we call home”.

Ms Talbot added that the colour palette of pastels and deep blues reflected Bermuda’s balance of calm and intensity.

She said: “The baton is more than an object — it’s a storytelling piece.

“Every element woven into the design reflects the spirit, culture and identity of Bermuda.

“I wanted it to feel unmistakably ours. Something that carries not just the reality but the essence of who we are as people.”

Peter Dunne, the president of the Bermuda Olympic Association, said Ms Talbot’s design had been chosen from a pool of public submissions.

He declared himself “in awe” after seeing the completed baton for the first time today.

Mr Dunne said: “In selecting Chyna’s design, we’re confident that it will be a striking totem for our team in Glasgow.”

He said it would be “a great source of pride” to have the baton presented to King Charles on a global stage.

Mr Dunne added: “As we look ahead to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, I trust that all of Bermuda will rally in support of our athletes behind this baton.”

The Governor noted that the baton’s presentation was a great way to “christen” the renovated Government House.

He called it “really incredible” that much of the team behind the baton would have the opportunity to meet the King.

Mr Murdoch said: “It’s not going to happen anywhere else across the Commonwealth, I don’t think, so that’s pretty special.”