It was billed as the riskiest overseas trip of his reign so far and, while that may yet prove to be the case, the King’s Caribbean charm offensive has got off to a great start.
Whether joking with young boxers, addressing a youth rally in the local dialect or dancing his way into a traditional Junkanoo parade, Charles has not put a foot wrong so far.
While there have been a few pockets of protesters – four women held up placards calling for reparations at the Parliament Square parade and up to 30 waited outside his first engagement – the reception has been overwhelmingly warm and positive.
© Getty ImagesA relatable monarch's personal touch
For a monarch embarking on a tour overshadowed by questions about Britain’s colonial past, the images emerging from the Bahamas over the past 24 hours are heartening. Even if difficult issues still need to be discussed, the public’s reaction matters.
The King is a veteran of these soft diplomatic missions and his relaxed manner and willingness to get stuck in, all with a sense of humour, make him relatable rather than a distant ceremonial figure.
His personal touch makes all the difference, whether it’s a joke about needing a cocktail later or seeing the funny side when presented with a T-shirt of himself wearing boxing shorts, gloves and a crown.
He may still be head of state in the Bahamas, for now, but he connects easily with people and several people I’ve spoken to after meeting him here have been surprised at how approachable he is.
His lifetime of travelling throughout the Commonwealth and more than half a century dedicated to campaigning on climate change mean he has earned respect as a statesman too.
And it helps that he’s clearly enjoying himself, especially when it comes to discussing issues close to his heart, such as climate resilience and opportunities for young people.
© Getty ImagesNot shying away from tough conversations
It would be easy to dismiss these moments as mere photo opportunities. But royal tours have always been about people as much as politics. Charles is well aware of the value of making a personal connection.
Equally, the small protests we have seen so far should not be dismissed. They may be relatively compact, but they reflect a deeply felt desire for some kind of resolution to the legacy of slavery and colonialism.
The King is “not shying away” from the conversation, and as we saw here on Tuesday, he raised the “suffering of the past” in his first public speech of the trip.
© Getty ImagesCampaigners want something much more concrete than warm words. The crowds may be cheering, but the calls for action are not going away.
But Charles is hamstrung by government advice and for as long as the official policy is not to apologise or agree to reparations, he can go no further, however he may feel about it.
His visit to Guyana will bring its own sensitivities. President Irfaan Ali has called for a reparations framework to be set up. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda will see the debate continue among leaders of Caribbean nations.
The King is well aware of this and knows that his speeches and engagements will not settle centuries of historical injustice.
