King Charles always amuses us with his witty reactions during public engagements – do you remember this iconic moment?
© Getty ImagesKing Charles always amuses us with his witty reactions during public engagements. Case in point: cast your mind back to last autumn when the monarch had the funniest reaction to 116-year-old Ethel Caterham when she told him “all the girls were in love with you”.
Charles visited Ethel at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey, shortly after bidding a formal farewell to US President Donald Trump during the US state visit at Windsor.
While talking about a previous investiture in 1969, Mrs Caterham said: “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.” The remark prompted a hearty laugh from the King and a raise of his eyebrows.
One of Ethel’s granddaughters, Kate Henderson, added: “You were saying that the other day, weren’t you? You said ‘Prince Charles was so handsome. All the girls were in love with him.’ A true prince – and now the King.” Charles, who responded with a playful grimace, quipped: “Yes, well, all that’s left of him anyway.”
Mrs Caterham became the oldest living person in April after the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116. She chose to celebrate her latest birthday in August quietly with just her family – but it was revealed at the time that she would have made a concession for the King. The monarch duly obliged just a few weeks later by travelling to see her in person.
The pair also spoke about Mrs Caterham’s fond memories of a Buckingham Palace garden party she attended in the 1960s. On the table between the chairs was a previous birthday card from Charles and Camilla, one from the late Queen Elizabeth II, and a framed, signed letter from the King congratulating Mrs Caterham on her 116th birthday and becoming the world’s oldest living person.
The cards were just some of the 17 she has received from both the King and the late Queen Elizabeth II to mark her birthdays since turning 100, including the one marking her centenary.
King Charles’ funniest responses to members of the public
The monarch is always making us chuckle with his humorous exchanges during public-facing engagements. One such memorable instance came during a walkabout in Birmingham when a member of the public named Daniel Walker shouted out through the crowd: “Charles, do you want to go for a beer?”
Stopping in his tracks, Charles turned around with a grin and replied: “Where?!” He then laughed with the crowd and asked for pub recommendations.
Last year, at White House garden party during a state visit, US comedian Matt Friend approached the King and attempted Charles’ distinctive Received Pronunciation accent, saying: “I’ve been working on an impersonation of you, I’m trying to study you.”
Without missing a beat, His Majesty quipped: “Keep trying,” before adding, “We’ll award you marks of merit.” Savage!
