The imminent visit by King Charles III marks a momentous occasion for the island — and a happy coincidence as the Sovereign’s representative in Bermuda returns to his official quarters on Langton Hill, two years after Government House had to be vacated for repairs.

Andrew Murdoch, who assumed the role of Governor in January 2025, told The Royal Gazette: “This is his first visit as monarch to Bermuda but also his first visit to any Overseas Territory as monarch; and also the first visit ever by a reigning King to Bermuda — so there’s a bit of history in the making here.”

He added: “It’s been positive. For those who may not have a particularly close affinity with the Royal Family, I think it’s been more a kind of silence rather than protest from my sense of it.

“Even for those I would describe as non-Royal, I think you would see this as an opportunity, showcasing this country on a global stage.”

Mr Murdoch said the island was buzzing with “a genuine sense of excitement”.

“The last visit by a monarch was 2009, by the late Queen. Most recently we had the Duchess of Gloucester for the 60th anniversary of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.”

Mr Murdoch noted: “He was last formally here 56 years ago, as Prince Charles, in 1970. He made some stopovers after that but that was the last formal visit.”

Many have asked if the King will stay at Langton Hill during his visit from April 30 to May 2. For security reasons, the monarch’s accommodation is not made public.

Speaking as the final work continued on the freshly reopened Government House after its lengthy renovation, Mr Murdoch said: “I will be here, though, which is good news.”

He added: “We hope there is a moment here to see the Government House grounds in particular and the building itself. Of course, we are very fortunate we have managed to get the timing right to host events here, starting this week.”

The building has “a lot of fresh paint” along with “a lot of critical, essential works that needed to be done, including the new roof, and that’s been a great opportunity, having been out for two years, that they have been able to properly refurbish and make this suitable for occupying and working for decades to come”.

Also kept confidential is the timing and routes of the King’s various engagements during his two days in Bermuda.

Mr Murdoch said he had noticed online references to pothole repairs since the visit was announced by Buckingham Palace.

“I’ve had people say, great, we’ve only had our potholes repaired because His Majesty might be driving down — of course, people do not know his transit routes for security reasons, so I think some of it will be a happy coincidence.”

The visit will give King Charles a chance to explore the island’s culture, environment and history — as well as meet Bermudians, including young people.

His schedule includes calling on the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo to mark its 100th anniversary and meeting Bermudian artists and craftsmen at City Hall in Hamilton. The monarch will be treated to a “spectacular” array of Gombey troupes at the Keep in the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Opening the Great Bay coastguard station will mark “the first formal royal visit to St David’s that we’re aware of”, Mr Murdoch said.

The Governor said that organising King Charles’s visit took “a genuine partnership with the Government of Bermuda, the Palace and the home team to put it all together”.

“Like many ambassadors and governors, you make the case and encourage visits, so I think it’s very positive for Bermuda to have a visitor, certainly a head of state, come. I was very keen but there’s a number of other factors that go into it as well.”

The King’s time in Bermuda, coming after a state visit to the US, “worked out against other competing countries that would have liked to have a visit as well”, Mr Murdoch said.

While Government House has received numerous requests for slots on the King’s timetable, Mr Murdoch said he “had to explain that within our limited schedule, we can’t go around everywhere — my problem has been what we leave out, not what we put in”.

Mr Murdoch has some history with the Sovereign, going back to 1998.

He recalled: “He was then Prince Charles, and I was a service officer on a warship. He was on the Royal Yacht Britannia on its last voyage — this was in Kuwait. We were the guard ship, as it was called back then.

“I did also have a chance to meet him a couple of times last year, which was fabulous. One was my formal audience as Governor. There was the investiture as well, which was a great honour to do with my family, and there was the joint ministerial meeting when I was alongside the Premier.”

Mr Murdoch said the King’s visit, involving youth, community, business and environmental engagement, would also give residents the rare chance to encounter royalty.

“I will be encouraging members of the public to get out and see their King,” he said.