From majorettes and gombeys, through a regimental gun salute and dignitaries, to babies, seniors and tourists who travelled to Bermuda solely for the occasion, residents and visitors turned out in droves to welcome King Charles III yesterday.

Throngs of people gathered at locations across the island yesterday to catch a glimpse of the monarch and many were rewarded with warm greetings, handshakes and quips from His Majesty.

Residents could be heard thanking the King for visiting their home country — his first official trip to a British Overseas Territory since his coronation.

Even the monarch seemed taken aback by the scale of the welcome, telling guests at a garden party last night: “It has given me the greatest pleasure to meet so many special people from the islands including, from what I can make out, half the population today.”

The monarch landed in Bermuda on Thursday evening in a British Airways bearing the King’s cypher, the Union Flag and the words United Kingdom.

A video recording soon circulated on social media showing a group of majorettes dancing on the roadside as the convoy of vehicles moved away from the airport, with music playing and others looking on.

The sovereign’s first official engagement came with all the fanfare the crowds could have hoped for — a parade on King’s Square in St George’s where he was received by the Royal Bermuda Regiment with a 21-gun salute, dignitaries and up to 2,000 excited members of the public.

Among them was a lifelong Bermudian fan of the Royal family, an American who was on his 26th trip to the island, hundreds of public and private schoolchildren and local entrepreneurs who went all out to give His Majesty a proper royal welcome.

One American visitor, Jerry Finnegan, said he had already seen the King’s state visit to the United States this week, adding: “I was fortunate to attend His Majesty’s arrival at the White House, 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?”

The King also paid a visit to St Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church outside of the British Isles and the same church he visited in 1970 when he was Prince of Wales on a visit marking the 350th anniversary of Parliament.

The King enjoyed a whirlwind tour across the length of the island, giving him the opportunity to connect with young people and artisans as well as learn about local conservation projects and cultural experiences.

No trip to Bermuda would be complete without the Gombey Dancers and the King was treated to a performance by the National Gombey Troupe when he ventured to the Royal Naval Dockyard, at Ireland Island, created in the late 1700s.

Another taste of the island’s cultural heritage came during a visit to City Hall in Hamilton where he met Michael Frith, one of the creators of The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, and Eugene O’Connor, a master Bermuda kite maker.

Mayor of Hamilton Charles Gosling said he had had the pleasure of welcoming Queen Elizabeth II in 2009, shortly after he became Mayor, and was now greeting the King just days before he steps down.

“Today’s visit showcased the talent, creativity, and cultural richness of Bermuda, and it was especially meaningful to see our young people and artisans represented at the heart of the occasion,” he said.

While in Dockyard, the King also toured the Queen’s Exhibition Hall at the National Museum of Bermuda.

Elena Strong, the executive director of the museum, said: “The King was very interested in Bermuda’s role in the Atlantic and shipwreck heritage.”

The King’s interest in the environment was also piqued during a visit to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, where he was able to see a live longtail and learn about conservation efforts at the facility.

Jaché Adams, the environment minister, shared: “He was championing us on our continued efforts on the advocacy of the protection of our oceans.”

He later led the monarch to the driveway to make the first cut of BAMZ centennial birthday cake.

The crowds truly showed up to welcome the King as they cheered, waved Union flags displayed banners.