King Charles III was welcomed to the National Museum of Bermuda with the sound of Gombeys this afternoon during his brief visit to the West End.

Hundreds of people, including students from several schools, gathered in the Keep at the museum in advance of the King’s arrival.

When he arrived alongside Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, a performance by the National Gombey Troupe — a team made up of members from multiple gombey troupes — was already well into a performance that caught the eye of guests and the visiting media.

After speaking to students and some of the Gombeys, the King toured the Queen’s Exhibition Hall before emerging to greet supporters who turned out. His mother opened the exhibition hall on her visit to Bermuda in 1975.

Irwin Trott, of the National Gombey Troupe, said he was proud to see Gombeys from across the island come together for the event, noting that during his conversation with the King, the monarch seemed to be very interested in the national tradition.

Elena Strong, the executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda, said that the visit was brief, but meaningful.

She added: “The King was very interested in Bermuda’s role in the Atlantic and shipwreck heritage. He must be exhausted after today, but I am glad he was able to put aside a spot for the museum.

“We have had many royal visits, and it is an honour to have the King visit our museum.”

Penny Leseur, one of the attendees who was able to speak to the King during the stop, said she was happy to see him visit the West End.

She said she welcomed the monarch to the island and shook his hand, noting that she had shaken the hand of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during one of her visits to the island.

Ms Leseur added: “She had a broken wrist. She was wonderful. All of the Royal Family have been wonderful when they have visited us.”