Jersey's Royal Visit cost almost £500k

Tuesday, 1 October 2024 at 08:30

It's been revealed that the cost of staging Jersey's Royal Visit was £485,000.

King Charles and Queen Camilla received an island welcome on 15 July, before travelling to Guernsey the following day.

It's estimated around 15,000 people were in St Helier to celebrate the occasion, which the government granted as a public holiday.

Now the Bailiff's Chamber has confirmed how much was spent, and on what, when Their Majesties came to town.

The Weighbridge was the venue for a showcase of the best of Jersey - featuring produce, growers, farmers, fishers, artists and environmental initiatives.

Building and furnishing the expo was among the biggest costs, along with ensuring crowd safety and meeting the security demands of the sovereign's presence.

More than £114,000 went on communications, including a live stream of the events which was watched by an estimated 43,000 people, and branding to promote the island in wider media coverage of the visit.

A tea party at the Pomme D'or hotel attended by invited members of the community just over £12,000.

The breakdown of £485,000 costs:

Contractors (event co-ordination and safety consultation): £134,515
Communications (including live streaming the event and branding): £114,748
Exhibitors (for the public exposition): £91,571
Security: £80,000
Infrastructure (such as marquees, seating and toilets): £50,281
Catering: £12,198
Transport: £1,140.

The Bailiff of Jersey, Sir Timothy Le Cocq said the visit was a success:

"The Royal visit was a momentous occasion for the island and one where it had been 19 years since the Sovereign had visited Jersey.

"The costs were, of course, significant however this figure encompasses planning, logistics and the safe delivery of an event for both Their Majesties and the thousands of islands who joined them in St Helier on 15 July.

"I believe that the costs associated with the visit are what is expected when delivering an event of this nature and scale.

He added:

"The island as a community came together for a rare and joyful occasion and I believe this visit was a very positive experience."

SEE MORE OF JERSEY'S ROYAL VISIT: