King Charles was caught in a moment of frustration during the 80th anniversary commemoration of VE Day at Westminster Abbey.
Attending the solemn event with Queen Camilla today (May 8), the King, adorned with military medals, seemed to have a brief lapse of composure. Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman deciphered a sharp command from the monarch while he greeted veterans: “Unbelievable, where are my introductions?”
In a visible state of confusion, Charles was heard demanding: “Where, where are you?” as a Royal aide quickly approached to assist him.
Despite the hiccup, the ceremony proceeded with dignity, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The King honoured the fallen with a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, bearing the poignant message: “We will never forget.”
His son William’s tribute read: “For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them.”
The service began with a two-minute silence, a national gesture of remembrance for the end of Nazi Germany’s reign, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
As the service drew to a close, members of the Royal Family, who had gathered to pay their respects to Britain’s war dead, took the opportunity to engage with veterans. The King was seen immersed in conversation with several veterans, displaying genuine interest and enthusiasm.
Princess Catherine also demonstrated her compassion by holding the hand of a wheelchair-bound woman adorned with medals and crouching down to speak with her. It was during this moment that Charles appeared to briefly lose his composure before composing himself and expressing his pleasure at meeting the veterans, saying “good to meet you.”
The commemorative event in London was also attended by other senior royals, including Prince Edward, Sophie, Princess Anne, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent.
Charles and Camilla’s arrival was heralded by the sound of trumpeters. The king wore a lounge suit, and his wife wore a white crepe silk dress and a white coat.
One of the highlights of the day was the speech given by 10-year-old Alexander Churchill, great-great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, during the ceremony. Ahead of his address, Alexander expressed his pride in his ancestor, saying: “My great-great-grandfather’s very important to us, and we’re just very proud to know that he is part of our family.”
He continued: “I think it’s very important for our generation, my generation, to say thank you to all the veterans and everyone who took part in the war.
“I think people can learn that they should never forget all of the people who have sacrificed and helped us restore freedom to England and Europe.
“I think it’s very important that they should carry on fighting for freedom.”