King honours fallen troops in solemn start to second day of Caribbean tour

The King has paid his respects to the fallen and inspected Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) troops in a solemn start to the second day of his tour.

Charles, wearing a set of medals and his sunglasses in the bright heat of Coral Harbour in the Bahamas, spent an hour with the RBDF, speaking to hundreds of servicemen, women and veterans.

He laid a wreath at the Flamingo Monument, which commemorates four RBDF Marines killed when Cuban MiG fighter aircraft sunk HMBS Flamingo in May 1980, after a dispute over illegal fishing.

The King meeting retired members of the RBDF (Chris Jackson/PA)

PA Wire

A handwritten card, signed Charles R, carried the message “in everlasting remembrance”.

In the first of a string of engagements the King was received by Commander Defence Force, Commodore Floyd Moxey and other dignitaries, with lines of troops waiting in their distinctive white uniforms in the sun.

Taking his place on a dais, the King took a Royal Salute from the Guard of Honour and Colour Party, formed by 106 Officers and Marines, before inspecting some of the troops.

During the event the King met family members of each of the fallen marines – Fenrick Sturrup, Austin Smith, David Tucker and Edward Williams – and surviving crew member Force Chief Petty Officer Gregory Curry.