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From Jersey Royals to honey, oysters and the island's net-zero journey, the very "best of Jersey" will be highlighted during the King and Queen's visit to the island today – here's your essential guide to the Royal visit, including how and where to watch.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla last visited Jersey in 2012, as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year.
Previous visits by the former Prince of Wales were made in 1968, 1995 and 2004, and today's visit is his first overseas trip since his cancer diagnosis.
The event will be live-streamed below from 13:00 today, when their Majesties are expected to arrive on-island...
Shortly after Their Majesties arrive in Jersey, a Royal Gun Salute will be fired by the 1781 Militia – a living history group based on those who took part in the Battle of Jersey who were recently awarded the King's Coronation Medal – at People’s Park. They will be using the Duke of Edinburgh saluting gun Battery – which was commissioned in 2022 to commemorate HRH – to discharge 21 rounds.
On arrival at the Royal Square, the King and Queen will be led by the Royal Mace of 1663 which was gifted to the island by King Charles II in recognition of the island's loyalty to the Crown. A special sitting of the States Assembly will take place in the Royal Square, with the Bailiff due to read out a Loyal Address marking the visit and His Majesty will read a response.
The sitting will then transition to a Sitting of the Royal Court. Following the prayer of the Royal Court spoken in French, five of the senior Seigneurs of the island – including Colorado-based James Kaye who will be travelling 5,000 miles – will pay homage to His Majesty, including will include the gifting of locally laid duck eggs as a symbol of sustenance in a break from an 800-year-old tradition which used to see dead mallards presented on a silver salver.
Pictured: The presentation of dead mallards on a silver salver – a tradition that will not form part of today's visit – to Her Majesty 2001. (Jersey Heritage)
Their Majesties will then head to the Weighbridge for the Jersey Expo – an environmentally-focused showcase of the 'best of Jersey' – where they will meet the President of the Jersey Beekeepers Association and a young beekeeper before being introduced to Jersey Royal Potato farmers.
A strong environmental campaigner himself, His Majesty will then meet those involved in Jersey's transition to net-zero, while Queen Camilla speaks to those involved in the maritime and agricultural communities. The pair will then take part in a mini Genuine Jersey potato growing contest.
Outside the Pomme d'Or Hotel, His Majesty will present the new King’s Colour to the Jersey Sea Cadets – the largest sea cadet contingent in the British Isles – in their 75th Anniversary year.
Pictured: The côtil being prepared for the Jersey Expo. (Rob Currie)
The Royals will then view a King's Parade – including a march past featuring the Band of the Island of Jersey, Jersey Field Squadron, Veterans, emergency services, cadets, Scouts and Guides – and afterwards join a Jersey tea party with guests including parishioners from all 12 parishes. Among those in attendance will be the island's oldest Normandy Veteran Ernest Thorne and author Peter James, as well as local faith leaders.
The aim of the Jersey Expo is to showcase the best of what Jersey has to offer – all in one place.
The Weighbridge has been divided into two, with the area closest to Route de la Libération devoted to the environment, climate change and the community, and the other half run by Genuine Jersey to showcase the island's agriculture and fisheries.
A section of côtil has been constructed with a wooden frame that will contain eight furrows to be dug, allowing their Majesties to appreciate the growth of the Royal at different stages of its development.
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The Royal family's love of honey – and Jersey honey in particular – has a long history, so, in-keeping with a Jersey tradition, the King and Queen will meet the Jersey Beekeepers' Association, who have brought a colony of bees along for the occasion.
Spaces have been set aside for a small fishing boat and for a tank to sustain the latest catch, with lobster pots at the ready to illustrate how their design helps ensure the sustainability of stocks by trapping only those that are mature. Other Genuine Jersey products on offer will include oysters, Jersey Sea Salt and Fluke vodka, which is made from Jersey Royals that may have otherwise been wasted.
Meanwhile, there will be displays of pottery made from clay taken from the Royal Bay of Grouville by Claire Haithwaite.
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"It's just like a home from home. My wheel, pots, everything that I normally have in my shed in my garden in Grouville, has been carefully brought down... A lot of work by everyone involved but it's just stunning. In fact I may be moving in!" said the potter.
Jersey's focus on transitioning to net-zero will be exemplified by an exhibit by Jersey Electricity, assisted by Digital Jersey, illustrating what a future windfarm might look like. Some of the Island's latest emergency service electric vehicles will also be on show.
Move More Jersey will present their cycle without limits project that promotes cycling to all sections of the community, while Acorn will be showcasing their bike maintenance project. Among the activities exploring sustainability, Jersey Trees for Life will arrange a demonstration of potting as part of an initiative to encourage islanders to "foster a sapling".
The Royal Route: Upon their arrival in Jersey, the King and Queen will take the following route through the island, and islanders will be able to catch glimpses along the way.
Royal Gun Salute: Anyone who wants to watch the Royal Gun Salute is recommended to be in position along Westmount Road by 13:00.
Special States Sitting: There will be a limited number of tiered seats for any members of the public who would like to come to the sitting in the Royal Square. There will also be a special area for wheelchairs. Standing room will be available alongside the United Club and Royal Court building, although space is expected to be limited. Access to the public viewing areas will be via the King Street side of Vine Street and will open at 11:30. Last entry will be 12:40, with no entry allowed after this point. These are secure areas and as such bags may be searched.
Jersey Expo: After the sitting, their Majesties will head to the Jersey Expo, which will be open to the public until 18:00 today, then from 10:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday.
King's Parade: For those wishing to see the march past, there will be areas around the Mulcaster street and Liberation Square junction. When they depart, their Majesties will pass through a guard of honour lining the Esplanade in front of Liberation Station.
Family fun: A Family Zone has been set up at Parade Gardens, which will be open from 10:00. The zone includes a large screen, which will be showing the live stream from 13:00, alongside free children's activities. Food and drinks vendors will also be there, and Jersey Water has provided a free mobile water unit.
Several roads will be closed during the visit, including all roads adjacent to or near the Royal Square, while on-street parking has been suspended in 13 locations around town – you can find the full details here.
In addition to the usual provision of floors 1 and 2, floor 3 of Sand Street will be allocated as additional Disabled Parking.
Pictured: Some roads have been closed and changes have been made to parking arrangements for the Royal Visit.
Shopmobility, which would normally close on bank holidays, is opening for the special occasion on Monday from 09:00 for anyone who needs a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be able to see their Majesties.
With events happening around Liberation Square and the Liberation Station, there will be a temporary bus station operating from the Esplanade from 10:00.
The Hospital Pharmacy is closed, but emergency access to the General Hospital will be maintained throughout the day.
The heavy rain is due to continue throughout this morning, but it's hoped that it should clear by around midday.
Sunny periods are forecast to develop in the early afternoon, but the odd shower is still "likely", according to Jersey Met, who warn that it will be "perhaps heavy and thundery".
Wind - am: Southeast light F2 to 3, increasing moderate F4 by late morning. pm: Southeast moderate F4, veering westerly fresh F5 by late afternoon, decreasing light F3 by dusk.
— Jersey Met (@Jersey_Met) July 15, 2024
The top temperature is 21 degrees, with a southeast moderate Force 4 wind throughout the day.
There'll be clear spells in the evening, although there may be further showers.
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq said that dry weather plans have been prepared.
"Given the hard work that has already been put into the designing and delivery of this Royal Visit His Excellency and I believe that we should progress with our dry weather programme," he explained.
"Invited guests and members of the public are advised to dress appropriately for the possible inclement weather."
Some of the tea party guests have therefore been relocated to inside the Pomme d'Or Hotel, which it's hoped will allow more space to be available to members of the public to see Their Majesties outside the hotel.
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