AS the dust begins to settle – and the drenched Scouts start to dry off – after this week’s Royal Visit, the King has thanked Islanders for making the day so “memorable and enjoyable”.
The Chief Minister has also hailed Monday’s visit – the first from the monarch in 19 years – as “momentous” and a “great success” for Jersey.
A sense of relief settled over the Island on Tuesday after the Royals departed for Guernsey in the morning.
Only a day before, the streets of St Helier were lined with hundreds of Islanders hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they attended a special States sitting in the Royal Square, toured the Jersey Expo at Weighbridge Place and watched a march past the Pomme d’Or, which unfortunately coincided with a torrential downpour.
A spokesperson on behalf of Their Majesties said King Charles and Queen Camilla had a “wonderful visit” and are “so grateful to the many people who turned out in such large numbers to make the day so memorable and enjoyable”.
The statement added: “They only wish that time, weather and circumstances had allowed them the opportunity to meet more of them in person.”
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, who played a large part in the day’s proceedings alongside the Lieutenant-Governor Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, also thanked “every Islander who joined us yesterday to welcome Their Majesties”.
“Despite the unprecedented weather, the visit was a great success and one which will surely be remembered for many years to come,” he added.
“When I saw the numbers of people lining the route and gathering in St Helier I had a special sense of pride in the Island.”
And Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, who was instrumental in securing the bank holiday for all Islanders, has also responded in a statement.
He said: “The Royal Visit was a momentous day for Islanders and a great success for Jersey. I would like to thank everyone who came out in such great numbers, and for their fortitude and spirit when the dramatic weather arrived.
“Their Majesties were clearly enjoying their visit, especially when speaking to the crowds, and the downpour simply made the day even more memorable, bringing people together.
“People of all ages were delighted to see the King and Queen and the visit was the perfect opportunity to reinforce our historic links with the Crown, showcase the best of Jersey through the expo, and to pay tribute to special Islanders at the tea party.
“A large number of people across the Island contributed to the extensive planning and to the smooth running of the event yesterday, and our thanks go to all involved.”
Marcus Calvani, co-chief executive of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said: “The visit was not only a very special and historical moment for our Island as a whole, but also a fantastic backdrop for Jersey, showing off so much that’s great about our Island. It’s understandable in this case that there wasn’t very much warning, so it’s difficult to say whether it meant more people visited to specifically see the King and Queen, but we know that visitors would have been treated to an amazing spectacle along with all of us Islanders.
“The impact it’s had on hospitality will be mixed because of the pressures that already exist on staffing, costs and regulation right across the industry. A wide variety of businesses were involved, but not all will be in the areas where they visited, and the population will have been driven away from the areas where their businesses are located, so it’s impossible to state whether it was good or bad for the whole of the hospitality industry.”
He continued: “We didn’t have the weather that any of us wanted but getting coverage on the BBC 6 o’clock news and on the front of national newspapers is invaluable, and the rain didn’t manage to dampen the spirits of all those who lined the streets from the Airport all the way through town on the Royal route.
“For those lucky enough to meet the King and Queen, it will be a day they remember for life. All those involved to make this happen and the incredible amount of hard work that has gone on in the background should be highly commended. It showcased our Island well, and made Jersey look like a fun and vibrant visitor destination. Hopefully, this will have long-term positive impacts to help drive visitors, and will be a win for everyone.”
