King Charles III arrived in Guyana on Thursday, 29 October 2026, for a historic two‑day state visit that marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Guyana and his first visit to the country as monarch. The king landed at Cheddi Jagan International Airport aboard an Airbus KC‑2 Voyager and was welcomed by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, senior government officials, military leaders and other dignitaries. His arrival followed a 26‑year absence, the last time he visited Guyana having been the Prince of Wales. British High Commissioner to Guyana, Joseph Fisher MBE, described the visit as an important moment for the modern and evolving UK‑Guyana partnership, highlighting enduring ties between the peoples and the opportunity for the public to meet the king at several events. Dressed in a khaki suit and red tie, the king stepped off the aircraft into 35‑degree Celsius heat and was first received by Ambassador Ivan Ivlen, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President Ali greeted him with a handshake, while Selina Williams, a student from President’s College, presented a bouquet on behalf of Guyana’s youth. The king then met Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, members of the British delegation led by High Commissioner Fisher, and senior representatives of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Fire Service. Accompanied by President Ali, he mounted the saluting dais and received a Royal Salute as the military band performed the British national anthem, “God Save the King,” followed by Guyana’s national anthem. The ceremony was conducted under the direction of Staff Sergeant Kwame Reed, with Lance Corporal Joel Abrams, while Lieutenant Colonel Delray McLean served as Parade Commander. King Charles inspected a Guard of Honour comprising four platoons of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in ceremonial Number One uniform. The parade leadership included Major Tito Blackett, Captain Troy Hestick and Parade Warrant Officer Vivian Joyce. Second Lieutenant Perk Caesar carried the State Colour, and Second Lieutenant Odwin Baird carried the GDF Colour. The platoons were commanded by Lieutenant Jeremiah Young, Second Lieutenant Jafayah Watts, Second Lieutenant Robin Ramhthor and Second Lieutenant Jachelle Messiah, who led an all‑female command. During the inspection the king paused to engage directly with GDF officers and parade commanders. Senior Petty Officer Adenzi Benjamin and Staff Sergeant Tyshawn Bentick served as ceremonial markers. The visit comes as Guyana celebrates six decades of independence and undergoes significant economic transformation driven largely by its expanding oil and gas sector. The country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, first developed under previous leadership and expanded under President Ali, aligns with the king’s longstanding advocacy for environmental protection and sustainability. Following the airport ceremony, the king departed in a royal motorcade escorted by three Guyana Police Force Traffic Department motorcycle officers, two police vehicles and a lead vehicle bearing the Royal Standard. The motorcade proceeded along the East Bank corridor toward Georgetown. During his 29‑30 October visit, King Charles is scheduled to attend a state reception hosted by President Ali, participate in a high‑level engagement with Indigenous leaders at the Umana Yana, and deliver an address at the Biodiversity Alliance Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The state visit is part of efforts to strengthen ties between Guyana and the United Kingdom as both countries commemorate six decades of diplomatic relations. After Guyana, the king will travel to Antigua and Barbuda, where he will reunite with
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