Photos & Video: 2026 Peppercorn Ceremony

April 22, 2026 | 0 Comments

[Updated with photos] Continuing a centuries-old tradition, the annual Peppercorn Ceremony is taking place in St. George’s this morning [April 22] and you can tune in and watch live below.

Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the replay is below

Update: A spokesperson said, “Soldiers of the Royal Bermuda Regiment [RBR] exercised their Freedom of the Town of St George today in celebration of 60 years of service and to acknowledge ties with the community.

“The march from King’s Square to the Royal Artillery Association [RAA] came after a Guard of Honour formed and paraded as part of the Peppercorn Ceremony.

“Regiment soldiers and officers were led by the RBR Band and Corps of Drums through the town, which received a state visit from His Excellency the Governor, Andrew Murdoch.

“Residents and visitors looked on as the troops took their places in King’s Square and welcomed dignitaries such as the Premier, David Burt, Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons and Mayor of St George Quinell Francis.

“His Excellency the Governor, who is also the Regiment’s Commander-in-Chief, arrived by horse-drawn carriage and inspected troops before he received and replied to an address by the mayor.

“The Peppercorn Ceremony dates back more than 200 years and provides an opportunity for the Governor to receive the annual rent of one peppercorn for use of the State House by the Freemasons of Lodge St George.”

Ms Francis said: “The Peppercorn Ceremony reminds us that continuation can co-exist with change. For centuries this symbolic rent has been delivered in this square and still we gather not just as participants in this tradition but as stewards of a legacy.”

The spokesperson said, “His Excellency agreed with the sentiments and told attendees there should be a move away from perceiving the ceremony as ‘merely a continuation of a rather archaic English property law transaction’.

“Instead, it is profoundly symbolic,” he added. “Symbolic that value can take many forms, symbolic of the enduring relationship between history and contemporary life, and symbolic of co-operation between organisations within a community, for the benefit of a community.”

The spokesperson said, “The Governor also confirmed that His Majesty King Charles III will begin his official public programme of activities on the island in St George’s on May 1.

“Parade commander Captain Travis Stevens, an underwriter in civilian life, appreciated the crowds of people who attended the Peppercorn Ceremony.”

“The St George’s community is always extremely hospitable and they always welcome us with open arms, open hearts and plenty of smiles,” he said.

The spokesperson said, “As the ceremony neared its conclusion, the RBR exercised its freedom – granted by the Mayor of St George in 2015 – by marching past His Excellency and through the streets of the town, with bayonets fixed and colours flying.”

Capt Stevens said: “Today’s opportunity to parade through St George’s was to celebrate our 60th anniversary.

“Our roots in St George’s go extremely deep and the parish is always welcoming to us.

“The culmination is our representation at the Royal Artillery Association to enjoy some camaraderie and share stories of shared sacrifice and commitment with members of the RAA.”

The spokesperson said, “Private Da-Mond Jordan, a 21-year-old bar tender, took part in a parade for the first time today and enjoyed the experience.”

“It was good to be out there with everybody,” the Devonshire resident said.

Reflecting on service with the RBR, Pte Jordan, who joined the Regiment last July, said: “It feels good to know that I’m using my free time wisely.”

The spokesperson said, “Somerset resident Rosemarie Simmons was among those who attended the ceremony today, as she has done for the past five years.”

“I love the Royal Bermuda Regiment,” she said. “I’m moved to see them on parade. I think it does a lot for Bermuda.”

The spokesperson said, “Heather Hitzemann was visiting from Detroit, Michigan, and appreciated the pomp and ceremony of the event.”

She said: “It was beautiful to see the military, all the different colours and the uniforms.”