Nearly 40 minutes of jubilant mayhem took over the environs of Hamilton City Hall as thousands decked in their best and waving flags got their chance to see King Charles III up close.

The band struck up at about 1.20pm, with Ed Christopher, the Hamilton town crier, proclaiming the King’s imminent arrival from the top of the stairs — followed by a roar of excitement as the famously approachable monarch strolled in at the west gate, shaking hands and chatting with scores of attendees.

The occasion was doubly special for Felicity Fearnley, attending with her young daughter Poppy, 4, and two-year-old Bertie.

They were there for a look at the King — and to admire the handiwork of Julian, her husband, whose work on parks and landscaping had City Hall looking its best.

Mrs Fearnley explained: “We’ve just moved to Bermuda from the UK, three months ago, so this is a big thing for us as a family. This is also one of my husband’s first projects. It has been flat-out for him.”

She said it made an interesting twist that the family, from Oxford, “stand more of a chance of seeing something like this in Bermuda than in the UK”.

“Poppy is starting to be aware of monarchy, what a king is and what it means. We just thought it was a really important moment for her to witness history.”

Vivienne Gardner, 97, who was out with other members of the plein air painting group, recalled singing in the choir at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton in front of Queen Elizabeth II for her 2009 visit.

Asked what was going through her mind as she waited now for the King, Ms Gardner said the sheer volume of excited onlookers felt a little hectic.

She added: “Right at this moment? Total confusion, but never mind — it’s extremely exciting and a huge honour to meet the King.”

Eli Cedrone, nearby, was making a quick change of shoes.

“I feel like I shouldn’t wear flip-flops when I meet the King,” she explained. “Even though we’re artists, I don’t want to dress like one.”

Fiona Forster found a place near the barriers with sons Euan, 14, 12-year-old Cameron and daughter Peggy, also 12.

She said: “It’s not often a king comes out — we might not get another chance. If we hang out here, hopefully we get a good spot.”

Cameron added: “It’s going to be cool when he walks past.” An hour later, as King Charles wrapped up his tour, that hope came true.

Barbara Johnson, heartened at the sheer numbers that turned out, said: “This is well deserved for the King, especially now Queen Elizabeth, his momma, has passed. He carries a lot of weight on his shoulders and he’s doing tremendously from what I see.”

She added: “With wars and crises going on, and a lot of disagreement with the US and Britain, it’s good that he’s travelled to the US. I’m enjoying this moment, seeing some sort of peace, even if just for the day.

“I’m proud to see a lot of Bermudians out to experience something that’s once in a lifetime. We don’t know if we’ll see him again. This should be a day of peace when we try to relax and let the moment prevail.”

Nearby were Bermuda High School students Arabella, Zooey and Harper.

Arabella, from London, said: “I’m from England, and I remember my grandparents were very sad when the Queen died, so it’s good to see him.”

Asked if she had spotted any celebrities around London, she said: “Some famous wrestler, but nothing like this.”

Paula Harrison, a maths teacher at BHS and head of Year 9, called it a special occasion because she hails from the historic town of Windsor, home of Windsor Castle — one of the official residences of the King.

She remembered the devastating fire that marred parts of the castle in 1992, from her first year in university.

Ms Harrison was with Shirley Kelly, assistant head of secondary at BHS, who shot a video on Thursday night from the roadside at Bailey’s Bay as King Charles drove past.

Ms Kelly said: “He rolled down his window and waved at us. I’m really excited to see him now.”