King Charles samples a limited edition 20-year-old rum during his state visit to Guyana: ‘Somebody else will have to finish it!’
A royal welcome.
King Charles sampled a limited edition 20-year-old rum during his state visit to Guyana, and immediately quipped, “Somebody else will have to finish it!” According to Reality Tea, the lighthearted moment occurred during a cultural evening hosted by Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on October 29, 2026.
The monarch is currently on a nine-day Caribbean tour that has already taken him through the Bahamas. He was on a two-day stay in Guyana. The event at the State House in Georgetown featured a special spirit created by the food and beverage company Banks DIH. The drink, titled ‘Royal Welcome’, was crafted specifically for the royal arrival.
Gregory Garraway, who serves as the rum plant executive for Banks DIH, noted that the spirit was aged for more than 20 years. He explained that the company wanted the visit to offer the King a firsthand experience. Garraway described the rum as “extremely smooth, rich and flavourful” and said Charles loved it.
Before taking his first sip, the King engaged with guests
He asked those nearby, “Do you drink this? Endless rum punches at the end of the day?” He then took a moment to smell the spirit before tasting it. The King pulled a surprised face, laughed, and declared it “very good”. President Ali encouraged the monarch to continue, suggesting, “You’ve just got to drink it down.” Charles followed that advice with one more sip but soon passed the glass on to others. He stated, “That’s very kind. Somebody else will have to finish it!”
According to PEOPLE, the King usually prefers a martini. His typical drink of choice often features a blend of half gin and half dry vermouth. He has been known to sample local drinks during his various royal engagements. For instance, he joked about “drowning a few sorrows” while visiting a brewery during the summer following the England football team’s defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.
The reception in Guyana brought together many notable figures with deep ties to the nation. Attendees included singer Eddy Grant and former UK justice secretary David Lammy. The visit coincides with Guyana marking 60 years of independence from Britain. After the rum tasting concluded, the King was treated to a cultural performance showcasing local traditions.
This trip carries significant weight beyond the social celebrations
Caribbean nations have been vocal about their desire for the UK to apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. Many are also calling for the government to consider reparations for those historical actions. President Ali recently told ITV News that Charles has recognized slavery as one of humanity’s darkest periods. However, Ali added that an official apology would be “the next step”.
The King began his tour in the Bahamas on October 27. During his time there, he spoke at a youth rally while facing demonstrators who held signs demanding reparations. Some protesters shouted slogans like “pay us what you owe us” and “return artifacts you’ve stolen”.
While the King did not directly address the protesters in his speech, he told the audience, “It is only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.” He also noted that much of what is best about Bahamian culture was born out of darkness.
A palace spokesman had stated prior to the tour that the program would not shy away from the darkest days of the past. The goal is to balance those acknowledgments with a focus on the vibrant present and the future of each host nation. The itinerary was developed in close consultation with individual governments to reflect their specific priorities.
The King confirmed that Commonwealth leaders plan to discuss the legacy of slavery during their upcoming summit. This meeting will take place at the end of the nine-day tour in Antigua and Barbuda. Queen Camilla is expected to join the King for that portion of the trip. The King is due to open the summit as the head of the organization.
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