New concern for the British royal couple: After the security incident on the island of Jersey, Queen Camilla attracted attention on Tuesday.
King Charles III, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, continued their two-day visit to the Channel Islands on July 16. On the first day in Jersey, a security alarm caused a scare. Security personnel suddenly rushed the British royal couple from an event to a hotel. However, it turned out to be a false alarm, and the royals were able to return to their duties after about 20 minutes. The next day, the island of Guernsey was on the agenda, and the couple made headlines again. The Queen, who celebrated her 77th birthday on July 17, suddenly appeared with a bandage on her right ankle.
Injured during Jersey visit?
According to “Daily Mail,” aides said she had sustained a “minor ankle sprain” the previous day on nearby Jersey. The bandage was clearly visible when Camilla and King Charles arrived in St. Peter Port. The 76-year-old wore low heels, a royal blue silk crepe dress, and a coat by Fiona Clare, but appeared to lean on an umbrella while walking. Despite the injury, the Queen smiled – surely pleased by the sun and bright blue sky in addition to the flag-waving crowds. The previous day in Jersey had seen torrential rain.
The royal couple was greeted by hundreds of waiting people as they made their way along the promenade of St. Peter Port to the Guernsey Parliament on Tuesday morning. The royal standard was raised and a 21-gun salute was fired. Charles and Camilla then attended a special session of the States of Deliberation. This is a tradition when a new monarch visits Guernsey for the first time. The last such visit occurred in 1957 when Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), visited for the first time.
Royal family posts photos of previous visits
The royal family also remembered the late Queen with a post on Instagram. Alongside pictures showing Charles, Camilla, and Elizabeth II during previous visits, the caption read: “Today’s engagements will highlight the unique local culture and heritage of the Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark communities, as well as the Bailiwick’s commitment to supporting biodiversity, sustainability, and tackling climate change. The King and Queen have previously visited Guernsey and the Bailiwick to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.” This was in 2012, and Camilla also wore blue at that time. The Queen visited Guernsey a total of six times, her last visit being in 2005.
The islands’ connections to the Crown go back centuries. In 933, the Channel Islands officially became part of the Duchy of Normandy, and after William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, Normandy and England came under joint rule in 1066. In 1204, Guernsey pledged loyalty to King John of England when he lost his continental territory in Normandy to the French king. And today, 820 years later, the Channel Islands remain the only part of the former Duchy of Normandy loyal to the British Crown.
