King Charles and Queen Camilla were rushed to safety after a security risk was detected during an engagement in Jersey.
The King and Queen were on Weighbridge Place in St Helier touring the Jersey Expo when the security alert was detected.
They had been enjoying touring each of the stands and were about to sample some Jersey ice cream before their security team advised them they had to cut the visit short.
They were ushered towards the Pomme D’or hotel – where they were scheduled to attend a tea party later this afternoon – but the King stopped to shake some hands en route before his security ushered him along.
After a short while they exited the hotel and resumed their scheduled course of engagements. Buckingham Palace refused to comment but sources said every precaution was taken.
Eamon Fenlon, managing director of Jersey Dairy, had just served the Queen an ice cream from a van before she was ushered out of the Expo.
Mr Fenlon said: “I had just given the Queen an ice cream and I turned back to get one myself before we had a chat. But when I turned back round she had been whisked off. Some of the other people told me it was a drone but whether that’s official or not I don’t know.”
Matt Taylor, founder of Jersey Sea Salt, was chatting to the King when he was approached by his protection officer and told he had to leave immediately.
He said: “He stopped at the stall and said ‘Ooh sea salt’ and I said ‘come and have a chat, Sir’. Then his security appeared and grabbed me and said ‘He has to go, now’. He didn’t seem panicked but he was quite stern. They just ushered him out. It’s a shame as he’d stopped to chat to us of his own accord.”
Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, visited Jersey today as part of a two-day trip to the Channel Islands.
They attended a special sitting of the State Assembly, as well as attending the Jersey Expo – where local farmers and artists showcase their produce.
They were due to participate in a mini version of the Genuine Jersey Royal Potato Growing competition before their visit to the Expo was cut short.
Half a dozen school children from across the island were due to meet them at this point, so they waited to greet them after the conclusion of the tea party.
The King and Queen then resumed their third engagement of the day, which saw Charles present the new King’s Colour to the Jersey Sea Cadets in their 75th Anniversary year.
The Jersey Sea Cadets, which offers maritime training and leadership experiences for children aged between 10 and 18, have been present for all the Royal visits since 1975.
Charles and Camilla spoke to the sea cadets before going on an impromptu walkabout to greet the crowds in the beaming sunshine – a stark contrast to the heavy rain that greeted their arrival earlier this afternoon.