More than 1,000 jubilant residents and visitors poured into King’s Square this morning to celebrate the visit of King Charles III.

As part of his first visit to the island or any British Overseas Territory as monarch, the King appeared relaxed and cheerful during his first engagement in Bermuda.

He was received in King’s Square, named for his fourth great-grandfather King George III, by the Royal Bermuda Regiment in gleaming white uniforms, marching in unison to the booming drums and wind instruments of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums.

The dramatic 21-gun salute sent plumes of smoke into the air and ripples of excitement through the crowd including throngs of schoolchildren who squealed at every shot.

The yachts moored around the harbour provided a glorious backdrop to the pageantry, flying their nautical flags right up to the top of their masts.

The King made his way to meet dignitaries including David Burt, the Premier, with members of his Cabinet, and Quinell Francis, the Mayor of St George, who escorted His Majesty to St George Town Hall.

The King spoke briefly with most of the group including Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, who told The Royal Gazette that the King had a good memory. Mr DeSilva explained: “The King said, ‘we’ve met before, haven’t we?’

“I confirmed that we had, at a dinner a few years ago for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.”

Michael Weeks, the national security minister, greeted the monarch, saying: “It is a privilege serving as Minister of National Security and an honour meeting you”.

Mr Weeks told the Gazette: “He complimented us on the excellence of the regiment and working to keep the island safe.”

The early morning rain had dispersed by the time the King arrived at the square and the sun came out in full force. Wearing a stylish pair of sunglasses, he laughed and interacted with numerous schoolchildren and adult spectators.

Isabella Rose O’Connor, the young daughter of entrepreneur Dennie O’Connor, had the honour of handing the King a bunch of mixed carnations from Gardine's Flowers 'N Things.

Mr O’Connor, whose scarlet pocket handkerchief the Premier adjusted as the King approached, said: “It was really just an exciting few seconds to have him embrace and accept the flowers from Isabella. With a bright smile and an open heart, he graciously accepted them.”

Mr O’Connor’s restaurant The White Horse Pub and Restaurant had a 40-foot banner stretched across the building front welcoming His Majesty and Queen Camilla, although she did not accompany the King to Bermuda.

One child handed the King a children’s book titled A Bermudaful Day for the King, written by Becky Ausenda.

Perry Nolan Trott, a Bermudian with a great love of the Royal Family, had the honour of talking to the sovereign briefly.

She said: “King Charles shook my hand and I said ‘welcome to Bermuda, I am so happy to have you’. He said ‘it is nice to be back again’. So this hand has touched the royal hand. I have always loved the Royal Family, I have cups and all sorts of memorabilia.”

Jeffrey Finegan, visiting from Washington, DC, said he was on his 26th trip to Bermuda. “I was fortunate to attend His Majesty’s arrival at the White House (this week), I got to his address to Congress and I thought, what better way to cap off an official and formal visit than to come to Bermuda?”

Mr Finegan added: “I booked my room at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, I’ve been a member there for a couple of years. I love the island, I have the Bermuda bug.

“For me, it’s a combination of the island’s history, scenery, the culture and the people. Bermudians are the warmest, kindest and friendliest people on Earth.”

After greeting members of the public, the King made his way up to St Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church outside of the British Isles.

The King, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, read the 1970 Throne Speech from the same church in 1970, when he was Prince of Wales on a visit marking the 350th anniversary of the House of Assembly.

Nyah Outerbridge, 10, the head boy from East End Primary School, was one of several children who lined the steps up to St Peter’s Church to greet the King when he arrived there.

Nyah said: “It is a really historic moment. At school we did some videos of King Charles explaining his life. I’m here with my entire school.”

The King was given a tour by the Reverend Thomas Nisbett, the son of the late Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett Sr, Bermuda’s first Black Anglican priest.

Reverend Nisbett said: “We were able to show him some of the things he was involved in when he came before, the chair that he sat in and the royal silver that was given to the church by King William and Queen Mary.

“I have met him on a number of occasions before. He knew my parents, my father in particular, as he was chaplain to Government House for several years.”

Ed Christopher, the City of Hamilton Town Crier, was in the square dressed in full regalia.

He said: “I met the Queen in 1994 when I became Town Crier for Hamilton, and in 2009 when she was here. I am letting people know the King is here as he arrives. We have to embrace all of who we are, we are British until we are not, so this is exciting for me.”

As the celebrations wound down, the King prepared to embark on a whirlwind tour of the island.

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