By Sohaib Shams
King Charles III embraced Caribbean culture on the second day of his nine-day tour, joining a vibrant Junkanoo parade in Nassau while also honouring military veterans and highlighting climate resilience.
Wreath-laying at Flamingo Monument
The King began the day by paying respects to fallen members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Wearing medals and sunglasses, he spoke with servicemen and women before laying a wreath at the Flamingo Monument, which commemorates four RBDF Marines killed when Cuban MiG fighters sank HMBS Flamingo in May 1980.
Visit to Bahamas Boxing Academy
At the Bahamas Boxing Academy, the King met young fighters and coaches wearing T-shirts bearing his likeness. He watched sparring sessions involving boys and girls aged eight to 18 and told a group of children, "I might see you at a Commonwealth Games."
Climate focus at Bonefish Pond National Park
Protecting the region from climate change is a key theme of the tour. The King walked a new boardwalk through Bonefish Pond National Park, a former rubbish dump now safeguarding 1,235 acres of mangroves. He spoke with students conducting fieldwork about their aspirations to become marine biologists.
Junkanoo celebration
Later, Charles joined the Junkanoo festivities, shaking maracas in the Bahamian flag colours and dancing alongside performers in feathered headdresses and bright costumes. The carnival, believed to have roots in the slave trade, drew cheers from the crowd, while a small nearby protest was dispersed by police.
Reception at Government House
The day concluded with a garden reception at Government House. Governor General Dame Cynthia A Pratt, the King's representative in the Bahamas, welcomed his first visit since 1973 and expressed hope that the tour would strengthen ties between the Crown and the Bahamian people.
Tour continues to Guyana
On Thursday the King travels to Guyana, where engagements will focus on environment and biodiversity. He will then visit Antigua and Barbuda, joined by Queen Camilla, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which brings together leaders of 56 Commonwealth nations.
