KING Charles found himself at the centre of a hug that turned into a scrum – as he hosted the New Zealand women’s rugby team at Buckingham Palace.
Charles, 75, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, told the squad that he found the “warm hug” to be “very healing” as he delivered an off-the-cuff speech to the team ahead of their match against England’s Red Roses in Twickenham on Saturday.
6
King Charles III meets New Zealand’s Black Ferns rugby union team at Buckingham PalaceCredit: Getty
6
The King found himself at the centre of a hug which turned into a scrumCredit: Getty
6
He was in top form as he greeted the sports starsCredit: Getty
6
Charles with the Black Ferns rugby union team on the Grand StaircaseCredit: Getty
Addressing the players in the Bow Room at the Palace, the King said: “I much appreciate this chance to meet you and to have such a warm hug from you. Very healing.”
Speaking about a recent decision not to include New Zealand in his travel plans when he visits Australia next month, the King said: “I’m extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October – it’s on doctors’ orders.
“But I hope there will be another excuse [to visit] before too long. In the meantime, give my love to New Zealand.”
Charles told the players, who were mostly in their twenties: “I hope you make the most of your time in the team because you don’t stay young for very long.
“In my experience it goes quicker than you think.”
The King had earlier arrived in the 1844 room, greeting Allan Bunting, the team’s director of rugby, with a hongi – a traditional Maori greeting of pressing noses together.
Charles then met Mark Robinson, the chief executive of New Zealand rugby, Deputy High Commissioner Shannon Austin and the female team’s two captains Kennedy Tukuafu and Ruaheir Demant.
As he went through to the Bow Room, Charles met the players but managed to get drawn into a group hug that caused him to burst out laughing.
Ayesha Leti-Iiga, a 25-year-old Winger, said: “I asked him “Can we have a hug?” and the King said “Yes” but as I went in to hug him the others all jumped on top so it turned into more of a scrum.”
Liana Mikaele-Tuu, a 22-year-old Forward, said: “I thought you said “We” so we all got involved!”
The King then had a separate hug for Prop Tanya Kalounivale, 25.
“He said that was the worst position because when the scrum collapses you’re in the middle of it.”
After meeting the players, Charles received two gifts from the team: a Black Ferns Jersey signed by the squad and a wooden waka, a traditional maori boat engraved with the New Zealand proverb: “We are all in this together.”
Accepting the gifts, the King said: “I’m not sure I deserve this.” He told the team: “You can always blame me if you don’t win – you can say I interrupted your training.”
After meeting the players, Charles addressed the team. He offered his condolences for the death of Kiingi Tuheitia, who he had known for decades.
Charles said that he had “spoken to him on the telephone so recently”.
The King added: “Suddenly to hear that he had died was a real shock.”
Charles was given gifts from the team and they performed a waiata – a traditional song.
The King then proceeded to the Grand Staircase of Buckingham Palace to join the team for a group photograph.
The visit to Australia will be Charles’s first visit to a Commonwealth realm since ascending the throne two years ago.
A Palace spokesman said on Tuesday that “difficult decisions” had been taken about the King’s programme to ensure the monarch’s comfort and wellbeing.
6
Charles seemed excited to meet the rugby teamCredit: Getty
6
He shared a laugh with many of them as he greeted the playersCredit: Getty
News
Prince Harry’s ex makes major life change after ‘horrible’ scrutiny during ‘doomed’ romance: expert
Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy made a surprising announcement. The Zimbabwean businesswoman recently took to Instagram and made a rare post announcing she had welcomed a second child,…
Princess Diana’s ‘Childhood Dream’ Was Halted by the Palace Amid Her Marital Troubles to Charles
Princess Diana pursued a hobby during her marriage to Prince Charles that allowed her to feel like a kid again — she loved to dance. Anne Allan, her former ballet…
Awkward moment Oprah interrupts Meghan Markle’s speech at book store opening in Montecito as she searches for her seat in the front row
Oprah Winfrey awkwardly interrupted Meghan Markle‘s speech at a bookstore opening in Montecito last weekend as she appeared to arrive late to the exclusive event to take her seat….
Meghan Markle HAPPILY boasted that according to a survey in the US, her popularity is much higher than the rest of the royal family
According to a new poll conducted by Newsweek, the Duchess of Sussex was liked by 36 percent of the adults polled. Meghan was disliked by 24 percent…
Insider claims Queen Elizabeth called Meghan Markle ‘evil’ in startling revelation
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly overheard describing Meghan Markle as “evil” at a Balmoral drinks reception just weeks before her death in February 2022, according to a…
Prince Harry has publicly introduced his son Archie for the first time, joyfully sharing, “The boy is just like me; unfortunately, the DNA test results reveal that…”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties and flew to the United States to start a new life with their son Archie. Prince…
End of content
No more pages to load