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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Queen Camilla uses her trusted umbrella to lean on as she arrives on Guernsey with a bandaged ankle – as the couple’s royal tour of the Channel Islands continues


Queen Camilla sported a bandage on her right ankle today as she arrived on Guernsey for the second day of her visit to the Channel Islands.

Aides said she has suffered an ‘slight ankle sprain’ while on neighbouring Jersey – where the heavens opened for the royal visit – yesterday.

The white dressing was clearly visible as she and King Charles arrived in St Peter Port to be greeted by huge crowds and blue skies.

The elegant royal sported low heels with a royal blue silk crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare but appeared to be leaning on an umbrella as she walked.

Despite the apparent minor injury, Queen Camilla looked delighted to be on Guernsey soil this morning, not least because the sun was shining. 

The royal couple faced a deluge yesterday in Jersey as their two-day tour of the Channel Islands kicked off in soggy style. It is the first official visit by a monarch to the Channel Islands since 2005, when the late Queen Elizabeth visited Jersey. 

Queen Camilla uses her trusted umbrella to lean on as she arrives on Guernsey with a bandaged ankle – as the couple’s royal tour of the Channel Islands continues

Ouch: The Queen, who turns 77 tomorrow, appears to lean on her umbrella for support as she arrives sporting a bandaged ankle alongside King Charles in St Peter Port on Guernsey

The Queen attended the Special Sitting of the States of Deliberation at Guernsey's Parliament this morning wearing a compression bandage on her right ankle

The Queen attended the Special Sitting of the States of Deliberation at Guernsey’s Parliament this morning wearing a compression bandage on her right ankle

King Charles and Queen Camilla, co-ordinating with touches of royal blue, arrived on the Channel Island for day two of their royal tour

King Charles and Queen Camilla, co-ordinating with touches of royal blue, arrived on the Channel Island for day two of their royal tour

King Charles offers a cheery wave to well-wishers as he arrives at Guernsey Parliament at Saint Peter Port on Tuesday

King Charles offers a cheery wave to well-wishers as he arrives at Guernsey Parliament at Saint Peter Port on Tuesday

Only blue skies above today: the King and Queen bask in the sunshine on a visit to Guernsey's Crown Pier

Only blue skies above today: the King and Queen bask in the sunshine on a visit to Guernsey’s Crown Pier

A right royal welcome: in the sunshine crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of their King and Queen this morning on the seafront at St Peter Port

A right royal welcome: in the sunshine crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of their King and Queen this morning on the seafront at St Peter Port

Bianvnus! Many islanders offered a traditional Guernsey welcome to the royal couple

Bianvnus! Many islanders offered a traditional Guernsey welcome to the royal couple

The Royal Standard is raised as the King and Queen roll into town

The Royal Standard is raised as the King and Queen roll into town

While the Queen, who will celebrate her birthday during the royal visit when she turns 77 tomorrow, wore the striking royal blue dress jacket, the King donned a light grey suit, with a blue carnation on his lapel. 

The royal couple were greeted by hundreds of smiling well-wishers as they made their way along St Peter Port seafront to Guernsey Parliament. 

In some places, the crowds were five-people deep as they patiently waited to catch a glimpse of their King and Queen. 

Stepping out of his royal car, the King raised a hand to wave at those gathered on Tuesday

Stepping out of his royal car, the King raised a hand to wave at those gathered on Tuesday

With the sun gods smiling on them today, the King and Queen spent time greeting those who'd turned out to welcome them to the Channel Island

With the sun gods smiling on them today, the King and Queen spent time greeting those who’d turned out to welcome them to the Channel Island

Saying hello! The King was greeted by an array of smiles as he walked along the seafront on Tuesday

Saying hello! The King was greeted by an array of smiles as he walked along the seafront on Tuesday

One person who shook the King's hand told MailOnline: 'It was rough, like a proper worker who does things with his hands'

One person who shook the King’s hand told MailOnline: ‘It was rough, like a proper worker who does things with his hands’

A little hand to shake: Queen Camilla, 77 tomorrow, has a chat with a young islander

A little hand to shake: Queen Camilla, 77 tomorrow, has a chat with a young islander

King Charles and Queen Camilla striding towards Guernsey Parliament earlier on Tuesday

King Charles and Queen Camilla striding towards Guernsey Parliament earlier on Tuesday

When they did arrive, the Royal Standard was raised on the Weighbridge Mast and a 21 gun salute fired. They then took part in a special sitting of the States of Deliberation.

It is traditional that a special sitting of the States of Deliberation is held when the Monarch visits Guernsey for the first time and occurred in 1957 for the first visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Seigneurs and Dames also paid homage to His Majesty. As he and the Queen took their seats in carved thrones.

Guernsey’s links to the Crown stretch back centuries. The Channel Islands formally became part of the Duchy of Normandy in 933, then Normandy and England came under common rule from 1066 after the victory of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.

After 1204, Guernsey pledged to remain loyal to King John of England when he lost his continental Normandy territory to the French King. 

An historic welcome: The King shakes hands with islanders in local dress as the couple head for Crown Pier in St Peter Port

An historic welcome: The King shakes hands with islanders in local dress as the couple head for Crown Pier in St Peter Port

A little Tuesday tipple? The King looks at a pint offered as part of a showcase of Guernsey culture, heritage, produce and environmental initiatives on Crown Pier in Saint Peter Port

A little Tuesday tipple? The King looks at a pint offered as part of a showcase of Guernsey culture, heritage, produce and environmental initiatives on Crown Pier in Saint Peter Port

Cheers! The monarch then picked up the pint glass of local ale before enjoying a sip

Cheers! The monarch then picked up the pint glass of local ale before enjoying a sip

Ambrosial ale: The Monarch takes a quick sniff of the beer's aroma

...before wetting his whistle with it

Ambrosial ale: The Monarch takes a quick sniff of the beer’s aroma, before wetting his whistle with it

The walkabout at Crown Pier saw the royals sample the finest Guernsey fare

The walkabout at Crown Pier saw the royals sample the finest Guernsey fare

And the Queen was tempted by a lunchtime refresher too, taking time out to sample an apple juice produced on Guernsey

And the Queen was tempted by a lunchtime refresher too, taking time out to sample an apple juice produced on Guernsey

Camilla, seen wearing an array of bracelets on her right wrist, raises a toast during the tour

Camilla, seen wearing an array of bracelets on her right wrist, raises a toast during the tour

A cornet for Camilla: The Queen chats to local ice-cream makers, who use the Channel Island's famous milk to make their flavours

A cornet for Camilla: The Queen chats to local ice-cream makers, who use the Channel Island’s famous milk to make their flavours

The Queen is spotted deep in conversation with local artisans about the knitwear they make and sell

The Queen is spotted deep in conversation with local artisans about the knitwear they make and sell 

The King looked relaxed as he sat in a parliamentary chair for the States of Deliberation sitting

The King looked relaxed as he sat in a parliamentary chair for the States of Deliberation sitting 

The King offers a wave on the first official royal visit by a monarch to the Channel Islands since 2005

The King offers a wave on the first official royal visit by a monarch to the Channel Islands since 2005

King Charles pictured during the ceremonial special sitting of Guernsey's parliament

King Charles pictured during the ceremonial special sitting of Guernsey’s parliament

The Queen looked elegant in a royal blue silk crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare

The Queen looked elegant in a royal blue silk crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare

A salute for the King and Queen: The Seigneurs and Dames pay homage to Charles and Camilla

A salute for the King and Queen: The Seigneurs and Dames pay homage to Charles and Camilla

And now, 820 years on, the Channel Islands are the only part of the former Duchy of Normandy which remains loyal to the British Crown.

The King addressed the guests saying he had ‘happy memories’ of visiting the island in 2012 for his late mother’s Diamond Jubilee. 

He added: ‘I know that this area holds special meaning for many reasons, as it is very close to where the liberating troops were so eagerly welcomed by the populace in 1945 as they freed the islands from wartime Occupation. 

‘It is also where, with pride and joy, many people here today welcomed the competitors when you hosted the Island Games last year.’

After the service, the couple spoke to local school children and then walked over to greet people in the crowds who had gathered to see them.

The Queen is seen gingerly leaning on her umbrella as the royal couple make their way to  Guernsey's Parliament

The Queen is seen gingerly leaning on her umbrella as the royal couple make their way to  Guernsey’s Parliament

From one crown to another: Islanders lean out of the window of The Ship and Crown pub to snap a photo of the King and Queen

From one crown to another: Islanders lean out of the window of The Ship and Crown pub to snap a photo of the King and Queen

Barrie Ainsworth, who is 80 today, was wished a happy birthday by the King after being made aware that the Guernsey resident was marking a special milestone.

The King told Mr Ainsworth, who had come out to see the King with his family, said: ‘I hope they’re looking after you. Make sure you have a very enjoyable day.’

Brenda Ainsworth, Mr Ainsworth’s daughter-in-law, wished the Queen ‘a happy birthday for tomorrow’ when Camilla will celebrate her 77th birthday.

The Queen replied: ‘Thank you. Sometimes you ought to forget them!’

Jacquie Gordon, 56, who lives on the island said: ‘I said ‘Bianvnus’, because I wanted to give them a proper Guernsey welcome, to the King and Queen and they both replied ‘Merci’. I shook the King’s hand and it was rough, like a proper worker who does things with his hands.’

Christine Morton, 75, agreed: ‘Yes, he has a proper handshake, which I like.’

The King also took time to learn about the island's natural environment

The King also took time to learn about the island’s natural environment 

Touching a basket of seaweed, the King chatted about the environmental initiatives Guernsey has in place to protect its rich marine life

Touching a basket of seaweed, the King chatted about the environmental initiatives Guernsey has in place to protect its rich marine life

The King stopped to speak to a group of medical students who have come to Guernsey as part of their studies, telling them that they were ‘desperately needed’.

Ivana Barbalich, 23, a medical student on an overseas elective from her native New Zealand, said: ‘I said Kia Ora to him, a traditional greeting from New Zealand. We said that we were medical students and he said that we were ‘desperately needed’.’

Guernsey has been granted a bank holiday today to mark the royal visit.

Later, the couple headed to the Crown Pier in Saint Peter Port for a showcase of Guernsey culture, including heritage, produce and environmental initiatives. 

 The King raised a glass to Guernsey and was united with the daughters of his former pilot instructor as he continued his tour of the island.

Meanwhile Queen Camilla toured local stalls sampling apple juice, ice cream and local cheese.

The couple first unveiled a plaque to mark Charles’ visit on the spot where the proclamation of his accession was delivered two years ago.

And they greeted flag-waving well-wishers before watching 16 traditional Guernsey dancers, dressed in Victorian-style outfits.

Camilla was shown a stall which produces the Guernsey jumper and said: ‘They really do keep the cold out. They are originally a fisherman’s jumper.’

She also sampled rhubarb and ginger ice cream from Le Hetcher Farm and said: ‘How delicious.’

And then sipped locally made apple juice from a glass from Rocquettes Cider.

Pier with a view: The King and Queen look out across St Peter Port and the RNLI lifeboats

Pier with a view: The King and Queen look out across St Peter Port and the RNLI lifeboats

A salute for the King and Queen: Lifeboat staff offer a wave from the other side of the harbour

A salute for the King and Queen: Lifeboat staff offer a wave from the other side of the harbour

Queen Camilla meeting guests at a tea party during a tour of the Island

Queen Camilla meeting guests at a tea party during a tour of the Island

The King pictured at the tea party shaking hands with local VIPs and military veterans

The King pictured at the tea party shaking hands with local VIPs and military veterans 

Charles looked on fine form as he entertained guests at the sit-down event

Charles looked on fine form as he entertained guests at the sit-down event

Dave Domaille, of Guernsey Dairy handed the Queen some ‘vintage cheddar cheese’ and said: It’s an early birthday present.’

The King and Queen, who went separate sides of the pier to view stalls, were reunited at a stall for Little Big Brew Company, a local brewery which made a Coronation golden ale called ‘Charles’.

The King sipped from a freshly poured glass of the beer. Head brewer Daniel O’Brien said afterwards ‘It’s been a huge hit.’

Simon de la Rue said: ‘It’s gone gang busters. The King seemed to really like it. He said it had a good aroma but that he shouldn’t drink too much at this time of day.’

Inside a marquee at the end of the pier, the royal couple joined 77 locals and veterans for a tea party.

At the first table they met the family of Capt Peter Voute who taught Charles how to fly at RAF Yeovilton, Somerset, in the 1970s. Peter, from Guernsey, died in February, aged 85-year-old.

His niece, Nicky Gaudion, wrote to King’s office to say that Peter, who was also an usher at the wedding to Diana, was terminally ill.

Sitting at the table, Charles reminisced about the old days. He said: ‘It was an incredible time for me, we had great fun. I loved it and it was too short a time.’

Peter’s daughter Tricia Howitt said afterwards: ‘We thought we’d get a generalised note from King’s office passing on his condolence but we received a letter which moved us really deeply.

Carina Howitt, Peter’s daughter, added: ‘We were very surprised and we felt very touched that he remembered our father.’

And said: ‘Our father told us he (Charles) was one of the best and most natural pilots he ever trained and rated him extremely highly.

King Charles snapped at aide to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on while battling wind and rain while undergoing engagements in Jersey on Monday

King Charles snapped at aide to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on while battling wind and rain while undergoing engagements in Jersey on Monday

Camilla, who will turn 77 tomorrow, was meeting members of the public in St Helier as part of a two-day visit to the Channel Islands with her husband Charles

Camilla, who will turn 77 tomorrow, was meeting members of the public in St Helier as part of a two-day visit to the Channel Islands with her husband Charles

The warmer weather on Guernsey was a far cry from yesterday, when the King was forced to ask an aide to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on while battling wind and rain while undergoing engagements in Jersey on Monday.

At one point the royal couple braved the rain and strong winds as they watched a military parade through the town. 

But after popping up a perspex umbrella, the Queen struggled to get her arm through her coat.

Charles, who was also holding an umbrella, then attempted to help with wife out – before a turning to an aide to ask for help.

The monarch looked visibly annoyed at the struggle to get the coat on, before the aide helped Her Majesty slip her arm through the coat.

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