King Charles III departed Bermuda on Saturday, concluding his first visit to the island as sovereign.

After arriving in his motorcade, the King shook hands with Bermudian delegates, including David Burt, the Premier, and Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, and posed for a photograph with members of the Bermuda Police Service.

He then waved farewell to the island and boarded his aircraft. The monarch visited St David’s to open the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard’s substation in Great Bay and learn about Project Nova, a new telescope programme at Cooper’s Island.

Lester Nelson, chief executive of the Bermuda Airport Authority, told Bermuda Broadcasting that the telescope will be “tracking space debris in low-Earth orbit”.

Mr Nelson added: “It’s very exciting, we’re very happy that His Majesty visited this site this morning and we look forward to the very long agreement that we’re going to have with the UK Space Agency.”

He said the sovereign was “a very easy person to talk to and down-to-earth — I certainly appreciated meeting and interacting with His Majesty the King”.

The sovereign thanked Bermudians after his visit on The Royal Family Instagram page on Saturday.

The post read: “Thank you to the wonderful people of Bermuda for such a wonderful few days and for the fond memories that will last a lifetime.

“I carry your joyful enthusiasm home with me, with my most heartfelt gratitude for your kind support and for that famous island hospitality — until we meet again.”

Reflecting on the short, but busy visit, Mr Burt said: “It was a pleasure to welcome His Majesty, King Charles III to Bermuda. Over the past few days, the King met Bermudians across the island and experienced our culture, history, natural environment and community life.

“The visit provided positive exposure for Bermuda and gave many residents an opportunity to participate in events and engagements across the island.

“I thank all those who worked to support the visit and I hope His Majesty enjoyed his time in Bermuda.”