King Charles has taken on one of his familiar royal duties, sending warm wishes to the people of Tristan da Cunha as the remote British Overseas Territory marks its Anniversary Day.
In a heartfelt message issued on Friday for the occasion, the King paid tribute to the island community’s resilience after a particularly difficult year, praising its determination and spirit in the face of serious challenges.
Writing alongside the Queen, Charles spoke of the impact of July’s severe storm and the threat posed by hantavirus.
The King also turned his attention to Tristan da Cunha’s important environmental role, pointing to the tenth anniversary of the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme and the island’s stewardship of one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas.
The full message from King Charles reads:
“As the people of Tristan da Cunha mark the occasion of their Anniversary Day, my wife and I take this opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations to the Chief Islander and to all those who call Tristan da Cunha home.
The Islanders have shown remarkable resilience, determination and community spirit in overcoming these challenges, and extended a warm welcome to the personnel who arrived on the island, following the historic first airdrop of medical support.
I also commend the people of Tristan da Cunha for their longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship of one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Queen Camilla and I send our very best wishes to the people of Tristan da Cunha and trust that the coming year will bring prosperity, good health and happiness to the entire community.
Charles R.”
2026-08-14 17:19:00
