Locals started gathering around King’s Square from 8am this morning to secure their positions along the Union flag-covered railings.
Schoolchildren are brimming with excitement as they stand, waving their Bermudan and UK flags in the sunshine.
Theo Godfrey, aged four, is fittingly dressed in a replica King’s Guard uniform, complete with the red tunic and bearskin hat worn by the guard standing outside of St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace.
His mother purchased the outfit from the official Buckingham Palace shop two years ago and joked “he’s worn it ever since!”
Sisters Freya, nine, and Sophie, seven, said they were “very excited” to see the King and wave their flags, though they were disappointed they had to return to school once Charles had left.
Jane Gregory, a retired banker, said she saw the late Queen Elizabeth when she visited in 2009 and has come today because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the King.
“It means a lot to me that he’s coming, I’m from England originally, it means a huge amount to me, I’m very excited.”
The weather has markedly improved since the downpours and strong winds of earlier this morning, with bright sunshine breaking through shortly before the king’s arrival.
Siblings Albie, six, and Aurora, four, spent last night and this morning making two posters to show the King.
The first, written in red, white and blue and complete with a union flag, read: “Welcome to St George’s, Bermuda, King Charles III.”
They also made a crown, which Aurora held on a stick.
Their parents said they wanted to come down as their surname is George, the same as the town, former monarchs and the second in line to the throne.
In the lead up to the royal arrival, town crier Ed Christopher was practising his bell ringing – much to the delight of the primary school children.
He’s been in the role since the late Queen’s visit in 1994 and he covers the whole island.
Are you excited to see the King? “I hope the king is excited to see me.”
Mr Christopher will announce the King’s arrival.
A large banner is hung from the Whitehorse pub, the oldest pub in St George’s, welcoming Charles – though it mistakenly includes the Queen too.
It read: “Warm greetings to Your Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla.”
Palace sources confirmed that it had always been the plan for the King to visit alone, with the Queen having returned to the UK following their four-day state visit to the US.
