King Charles donned a quirky tie as he joined Queen Camilla and 7,000 guests at a sweltering Buckingham Palace garden party today.
The royal, 76, looked dapper in a grey suit, with a light cream waistcoat, and a pale blue tie, which featured little submarines.
Charles was ‘in his element’ as he chatted to one lady who has set up a charity teaching endangered heritage arts and crafts to young people suffering from complex neurological conditions in memory of her late son.
He also chatted knowledgeably with a university student sadly suffering from cancer about radiation treatment.
And he delighted a group of ladies in the crows after spotted their beautiful colourful traditional dress. ‘You must be from Nigeria?’ he said.
‘Yes!’ said Professor Adetoro Adegoke from Buckinghamshire New University.
She smiled afterwards: ‘I was vibing him to come over here! He told me he had been to Nigeria and it was vast. How amazing that he recognised Yoruba immediately. Wonderful man.’
Today’s event, attended by 7,000 guests, was held at the request of the government to thank people working in the education and skills sector. It was attended by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are pictured attending the Education and Skills Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon
After standing for the national anthem the couple were clapped as they walked to meet as many in the crowds as possible.
In the first group the King and Queen met popular social media teacher/influencer ‘Tommy T’, who has millions of followers on Tik Tok, YouTube and Instagram.
Real name Tom Egleton, the special educational needs specialist told them how he starting posting videos in lockdown to help his students at City College in Norwich who were struggling but found himself becoming a social media sensation.
‘I thought when I got the invitation to come to Buckingham Palace it was because they want met to meet Prince George or the rest of the grandchildren something at birthday party. I couldn’t believe it was the king,’ he said.
‘It has been a great way to help the children and I have found it really rewarding to be able to teach them how to cope with social media properly. I show them the trolling I get. The safety parameters, they really do take it in.
‘I use the videos to help children who are transitioning up from year six to seven. It’s refreshing for a teacher to be cool. Teaching is cool again.
The King was pictured tipping his top hat as he arrived at the garden party on Wednesday afternoon
Charles’ tie boasted an interesting pattern. The pale blue grosgrain-type fabric featured a small submarine print
King Charles (pictured, centre) greets members of the public at the Education and Skills Garden Party
‘When I walk round the school and ask them put their lanyards on they do it straight away now! ‘
His wife, Catherine, said: ‘Everywhere he goes now the children are asking him for pictures. He’s like the pied piper. ‘
After taking a different side of the garden from his wife, the King spoke to Stamford Collis, 22, an international relations student at Exeter University who is sadly battling cancer.
He said afterwards: ‘He was asking me about the treatment I have starting in June and spoke to me about food and diet. He also asked me if I had undergone radiation treatment, which I had earlier this year.’
The King was heard to say: ‘It’s sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help.’
Charles also spoke to Patricia Alban from East Kent who has set up Sammy’s Foundation in memory of her son, who suffered from Prader-Willi Syndrome and autism and tragically died in 2020 at the age of just 13.
She launched the foundation last December of what would have been her son’s birthday and has been helping many other young people suffering from neurological conditions learn high-end craftsmanship such as weaving and upholstery. Sammy was an extremely talented carpenter and upholsterer.
The royal (pictured) beamed as he spoke to guests at the event – it is thought that some 7,000 people were invited
Queen Camilla is pictured beaming while meeting guests at the garden party on Wednesday afternoon
She was almost in tears as she said: ‘I told Sammy ‘one day I will meet the king and tell him about you’ . And here I am. I can’t believe it. He would have been so proud. I feel quite emotional. I feel like he is there. It’s been a dream of mine.
‘His Majesty was in his element talking about crafts, it is something he is passionate about. And he was suggesting people and organisations I could talk to.’
Meanwhile Queen Camilla – who was wearing a silk crepe dress with silver embroidery by Anna Valentine, a Philip Treacy hat and the late Queen’s jardine star diamond brooch – chatted with dozens more guests including representatives of organisations she is involved in including the Unicorn Theatre and the Anne Frank Trust.
‘I hope you aren’t too warm,’ she told one guests. ‘I do hope you have had the chance to put your feet up and have a drink.’
In a garden party first guests were treated to a performance by students from the Royal Ballet School, while guests to music – including the Harry Potter theme tune – played by the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment.
