King Charles III touched down in the Bahamas on Tuesday as the centerpiece of a nine‑day Caribbean tour. The island of New Providence closed its public schools to welcome the monarch, and the Bahamian police and armed forces formed a ceremonial guard, some wearing traditional pith helmets.
Royal ceremony and local reaction
Charles, dressed in a light gray suit and sunglasses, met Governor‑General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt and Prime Minister Philip Davis before proceeding to Clifford Park – the site he visited in 1973 as Prince of Wales to grant Bahamian independence. While a cheering crowd of students waved small Bahamian flags, members of the Rastafarian community and other demonstrators lined the road, chanting, “Pay us what you owe us!” and calling for an apology and reparations for the horrors of slavery.
Monarch’s remarks on history and climate
In his first public remarks on the island, Charles said, “We know that some of what is best in Bahamian culture today, the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright, was born out of darkness. It is only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past… even as we rejoice in the successes of the present.” He also warned that “90 % of the land sits below two meters,” underscoring the Bahamas’ vulnerability to sea‑level rise and urging greater attention to climate change.
Environmental concerns and development debate
Former Bahamas National Trust executive director Eric Carey highlighted a contentious development on Sampson Cay, describing the proposed sea wall and dredging of seagrass and coral reefs as “ill‑advised” and “out of scale.” Carey stressed that the country’s tourism‑based economy does not oppose development, but that larger islands should host larger projects to minimize environmental impact. He hopes the king’s visit will draw international awareness to the issue, noting Charles’ long record of speaking on climate stewardship.
Upcoming itinerary
Charles will spend three days in the Bahamas before flying to Guyana on Oct. 29, where he will meet with President Mohamed Siddiq Khan, who has called for an apology for slavery. The itinerary continues to Antigua and Barbuda on Oct. 30 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where Queen Camilla will join him. Discussions are expected to focus on climate, trade and development, though some Caribbean leaders say reparations should dominate the dialogue.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
