King Charles praises Guyanese rum during state visit

King Charles praised a limited edition rum, distilled in his honor, as 'very good' during a cultural event in Guyana. The drink, called 'Royal Welcome,' was offered to the King by the food and beverage company Banks DIH.

Before tasting the rum, the King asked nearby guests if they drank it, joking about 'endless rum punches' at the end of the day. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali encouraged him to 'drink it down,' and the King took another sip before commenting on the drink.

Gregory Garraway, the rum plant executive at Banks DIH, stated the rum was more than 20 years old and described it as 'extremely smooth, rich and flavourful.' He added that the King 'loved it.'

The King's state visit to Guyana marks the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain. The trip, which began in the Bahamas, will conclude with the Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Antigua and Barbuda.

The visit comes amid renewed calls from Caribbean nations for Britain to apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and seek reparations. President Irfaan Ali noted that the King has acknowledged slavery as a dark chapter in history, but an apology remains 'the next step.'

During the visit, the King met with cultural figures, including pop star Eddy Grant and former justice secretary David Lammy, both of whom have ties to Guyana. The King also attended performances highlighting Guyana’s diverse cultural heritage, including indigenous, Chinese, and Indian influences.