King Charles III Salutes Royal Bahamas’ Defence Force

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It was a moment of ceremony, reflection and national pride at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force base at Coral Harbour, as King Charles III met with the men and women tasked with protecting The Bahamas.

The King was greeted by Defence Force Commander Commodore Floyd Moxey before receiving a royal salute from a guard of honour and colour party made up of 106 officers and marines.

He then inspected the guard, recognizing the discipline and service of the country’s uniformed personnel.

But beyond the pageantry, the visit carried a deeper significance.

One of the most poignant moments came at the HMBS Flamingo Memorial, where the King laid a wreath in honour of four marines killed in May 1980.

Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine Seamen Austin Smith, David Tucker and Edward Williams lost their lives when Cuban fighter aircraft attacked and sank HMBS Flamingo during a confrontation over illegal fishing in Bahamian waters.

The King also met with the families of the four fallen marines and a surviving crew member who was serving aboard the vessel at the time.

The visit also highlighted the Defence Force’s wider role in national security, including maritime surveillance, disaster response and the protection of The Bahamas’ territorial waters.

The King visited HMBS Lawrence Major, a disaster-response vessel, where he met members of its crew and learned more about the force’s capabilities.

For the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the occasion was about more than a royal visit. It was a reminder of the sacrifices made in service to the nation and the responsibility that continues to rest on those who defend its sovereignty.