The monarch hoped that he wasn’t ‘massacring’ the ancient Manx language during a visit to the island today, as he addressed parliament took a ride on a horse tram
The King showed off his impressive linguistic skills during his first visit to the Isle of Man as monarch today, but hoped he was not “massacring” the Manx language.
Charles spoke the ancient language, having had a revival in recent years, during a special sitting of the island’s parliament, Tynwald, and outside the building chatted in French when he met a native speaker among the crowds.
During his day visit on the Island, where he has the title Lord of Mann, Charles told members of the island’s parliament: “I am aware that this year is Manx Language Year – Blein ny Gaelgey (Year of the Manx Language).”
He made the chamber laugh when he added: “So I very much hope I have not succeeded at this point in massacring this wonderful celebration of your language!”
Charles visited Tynwald – one of the oldest continuous legislatures in the world – for a formal welcome to the self-governing crown dependency. The popular holiday destination famed for its Isle of Man TT, a motorbike event through the streets of Douglas and the countryside outside, has alongside its parliament a government, civil service, judiciary and raises its own revenue via taxes.
Charles added: “As the world’s oldest parliament in continuous operation, Tynwald holds a remarkable distinction. This longevity speaks not only to the strength of your institutions, but also of the enduring partnership between the Crown and the people of this Island.”
He went on to say: “The first Royal visit was by my great great great grandfather, Prince Albert, who rowed ashore from the steam-driven Royal Yacht, Victoria And Albert in September 1847, disembarked at Ramsey, and became the first Royal visitor to the Island.”
After the formal welcome Charles met members of the public outside the parliament building in the capital and shook hands and exchanged a few words with well-wishers. He spoke to Fabienne Favray, originally from France but who has lived on the island for 12 years, switching from English to French, when she spoke a few words of her native language.
Charles then visited the Douglas Promenade, the main seafront walkway of the Manx capital and one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks. On the promenade, the King visited the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, where he was greeted by tram staff before viewing the historic carriages and shire horses.
His Majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 150th year anniversary of the tramway, before taking a short journey down Douglas Promenade on the horse tram. He finished the day by attending a garden party at Government House.
As a Crown Dependency, the Monarch is the Isle of Man’s Head of State, holding the title Lord of Mann. The King, when he was still Prince of Wales, last visited in April 2012, accompanied by Queen Camilla, when she was Duchess of Cornwall, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
