Monday, December 23, 2024

King Charles appears to get frustrated as page boy adjusts his robe at State opening of Parliament – days after snapping at aide

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King Charles appeared to get frustrated at a page boy tending to his robe as he attended the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords today.

The monarch, 75, seemed to abruptly pull his hand back when his regalia was being put in place ahead of the event.

While his helper attempted to place the fabric around the Sovereign’s Throne, the royal looked to take matters into his own hands as he flipped the material out.

It is not clear if Charles was cooperating with the young boy or simply feeling exasperated by his – undoubtedly heavy – ensemble ahead of the King’s Speech today.

A close up photo of the moment also seemed to show a scrutinising Charles looking down at the ornate, albeit bulky, clothing. 

King Charles appeared to get frustrated at a page boy tending to his robe as he attended the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords today

Earlier this week, the monarch didn’t appear to be in high spirits as he snapped at an aide to help his wife – while she struggled to get her coat on amid battling wind and rain in Jersey. 

Camilla, who today turns 77, was meeting members of the public in St Helier as part of a two-day visit to the Channel Islands with her husband Charles.

At one point the royal couple braved the rain and strong winds as they watched a military parade through the town. 

But after popping up a perspex umbrella, the Queen struggled to get her arm through her coat.

Charles, who was also holding an umbrella, then attempted to help with wife out – before a turning to an aide to ask for help.

The monarch looked visibly annoyed at the struggle to get the coat on, before the aide helped Her Majesty slip her arm through the coat.

It comes after Camilla was whisked away from her engagements after a security scare.

The royal had to make a quick exit from an ice cream van in Weighbridge Place where she was sampling the local delights when a member of her security team rushed over and told her the visit was being cut short.

Charles has delivered his speech at the Palace of Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer set out his vision for Britain

Charles has delivered his speech at the Palace of Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer set out his vision for Britain

The monarch, 75, seemed to abruptly pull his hand back when his regalia was being adjusted ahead of the event

The monarch, 75, seemed to abruptly pull his hand back when his regalia was being adjusted ahead of the event

Thankfully, the scare turned out to be a false alarm and Their Majesties were soon able to continue with their planned programme of engagements.

Buckingham Palace did not comment officially but it is understood there was a ‘small issue of concern’.

An investigation was initiated but it turned out to be a false alarm.  Sources said every precaution was taken and the programme resumed shortly afterwards. It does not appear anyone was arrested.

Members of the public including children who had been due to meet them were taken to the hotel so they could meet Their Majesties personally instead. 

Queen Camilla donned a turquoise belted dress upon arrival in the Channel Island – but added a waterproof trench coat and umbrella to her ensemble to take the rain into account.

However, as the couple arrived via red carpet onto a stage in the Royal Square in St Helier, where an official welcoming ceremony was carried out before a sitting of the Royal Court and the State Assembly, Camilla realised she still had her waterproof layer on.

Charles pictured sat in the Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament

Charles pictured sat in the Sovereign’s Throne in the House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament

Making his first King's Speech under a Labour government, the monarch said the legislative programme would be based on 'security, fairness and opportunity for all' as he set out measures on illegal migration, housing, planning, workers' rights and railway nationalisation

Making his first King’s Speech under a Labour government, the monarch said the legislative programme would be based on ‘security, fairness and opportunity for all’ as he set out measures on illegal migration, housing, planning, workers’ rights and railway nationalisation

The King travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster to deliver his address in the House of Lords on a day packed with pomp and ceremony as the new Parliament

The King travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster to deliver his address in the House of Lords on a day packed with pomp and ceremony as the new Parliament

Pictured: Charles wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State as he reads the King's Speech alongside Queen Camilla

Pictured: Charles wearing the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State as he reads the King’s Speech alongside Queen Camilla

In a comical clip as she stood with King Charles to be officially greeted by delegates, the Queen, in one swift move, jerked back her shoulders to shake off the coat.

As the coat fell behind her in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, the Queen continued to stand to attention as if nothing has happened – and regained composure in an instant.

However, her quick change was spotted by King Charles, 75, who couldn’t help but smile as he watched her lose the coat. 

Meanwhile, earlier today, Charles has delivered his speech at the Palace of Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer set out his vision for Britain.

Making his first King’s Speech under a Labour government, the monarch said the legislative programme would be based on ‘security, fairness and opportunity for all’ as he set out measures on illegal migration, housing, planning, workers’ rights and railway nationalisation.

The King travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster to deliver his address in the House of Lords on a day packed with pomp and ceremony as the new Parliament.

After King Charles was seen snapping at an aide in Jersey, how the monarch’s impatient side has reared its head during public appearances 

King Charles set tongues wagging among royal fans during his visit to the Channel Islands this week after he appeared to lose his temper – but it’s not the first time one of the monarch’s snappier moments has been caught on camera.

It’s just one of many of the royal’s ‘spicy’ moments over the years – including his notorious comments about BBC Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell in 2005 when he called the journalist an ‘awful man’ under his breath during a press conference and photo opportunity on the ski slopes at Klosters.

In 2022, Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen while signing the visitors book at Hillsborough Castle – telling courtiers he ‘can’t bear this bloody thing’. 

Just a few days earlier, the King furiously motioned for an aide to move an ink pot as he signed documents when he was proclaimed the new King.

Meanwhile, last year a frustrated King Charles moaned ‘we can never be on time’ as he waited in coach outside Westminster Abbey ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed.

Here FEMAIL looks at Charles’ most fiery moments over the years – which happened in view of the whole world…

Camilla’s Coat 

Charles got cranky with an aide who didn't think to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on yesterday

Charles got cranky with an aide who didn’t think to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on yesterday

Charles got cranky with an aide who didn’t think to help Queen Camilla as she struggled to get her coat on yesterday. 

Camilla, who turns 77 today, was meeting members of the public in St Helier as part of a two-day visit to the Channel Islands with her husband Charles.

At one point the royal couple braved the rain and strong winds as they watched a military parade through the town.

But after popping up a perspex umbrella, the Queen struggled to get her arm through her coat.

Charles, who was also holding an umbrella, then attempted to help with wife out – before a turning to an aide to ask for help.

The monarch looked visibly annoyed at the struggle to get the coat on, before the aide helped Her Majesty slip her arm through the coat.

Seething on the slopes 

In 2005, Charles, William and Harry held a brief press conference and photo opportunity on the slopes at Klosters

In 2005, Charles, William and Harry held a brief press conference and photo opportunity on the slopes at Klosters

BBC's long-serving Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell asked an agreed question as to how the Prince of Wales felt about the forthcoming wedding

BBC’s long-serving Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell asked an agreed question as to how the Prince of Wales felt about the forthcoming wedding

In 2005, Charles, William and Harry held a brief press conference and photo opportunity on the slopes at Klosters. 

Surrounded by cameras, journalists and microphones, the BBC’s long-serving Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell asked an agreed question as to how the Prince of Wales felt about the forthcoming wedding.

Charles gave a somewhat unhelpful answer – ‘I’m glad you’ve heard of it’ – then sitting next to his sons, expanded on his true feelings.

‘I hate doing this….Bloody people. I can’t bear that man anyway. I mean, he is so awful, he really is. I hate these people.’

However privately he thought he had been speaking, Charles’s words were caught by a microphone on the slopes and subsequently broadcast to the world.

The Prince of Wales’s’ spokesman at the time, Paddy Harverson, explained the situation later: ‘Nicholas was in the firing line when the prince was expressing his general frustration at the paparazzi and it boiled over at the first person to ask a question.

‘It wasn’t personal. He does regret saying it. He really didn’t mean to take it out on Nicholas.’

Leaky pen

In 2022, the King blasted a leaking pen that threatened to ruin his mood just hours after the then new monarch was warmly embraced by the people of Belfast

In 2022, the King blasted a leaking pen that threatened to ruin his mood just hours after the then new monarch was warmly embraced by the people of Belfast 

In 2022, the King blasted a leaking pen that threatened to ruin his mood just hours after the then new monarch was warmly embraced by the people of Belfast.

Charles, who sat inside the royal residence of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland, appeared flustered by dripping ink as he tried signing a book towards the end of his visit.

Charles, who had lost his mother Queen Elizabeth just days earlier, complained about the pen he was using to sign his name, announcing he ‘can’t bear this bloody thing’ as he appeared to furiously rub the ink from his fingers.

The Queen later suggested it was leaking and asked for a replacement, as the King briskly turned on his heels and left the room flanked by aides.

The faulty instrument was swiftly removed and replaced by flustered courtiers before Camilla sat down to sign the book herself from inside the historic residence.

The clip began with Charles asking what the date was, as he prepared to sign a visitors book in front of cameras.

Venting his frustration as the pen begins to malfunction, the King exclaimed: ‘God I hate this [pen]’ as he handed it over to the Queen Consort.

He added: ‘I can’t bear this thing… every stinking time’.

 Ink-gate 

King Charles' was caught up in another snappy moment as the monarch suddenly gestured furiously to one of his aides to remove a pot of ink

King Charles’ was caught up in another snappy moment as the monarch suddenly gestured furiously to one of his aides to remove a pot of ink

A few days before the leaky pen situation, Charles’ was caught up in another snappy moment as the monarch suddenly gestured furiously to one of his aides to remove a pot of ink.

As he went to sign the historic Proclamation, the King frantically motioned to an aide to move a pen box from his desk, which viewers described as ‘far too small’ for the huge document and stationery.

Despite the gravity of the moment, viewers could not help but find the apparent difficulty the King had with the pen amusing.

Charles asked a nearby aide to get the box off the table so he could sign the second part of the large document.

The fountain pen set he used to sign the momentous document was a gift from his sons Princes Harry and William.

Some viewers joked the new King ‘stole’ the pen after spotting him put it in his pocket before taking it out again.

Tongue-in-cheek observations and memes have already flooded social media following the awkward moment.

One said the table holding the documents ‘was about the size for balancing a TV dinner on’.

Another viewer said: ‘Well that’s the next step. Extraordinary to witness. King Charles a little flustered with the pen situation.’

Meanwhile one said Charles’s apparent ‘fury’ at the awkward situation was ‘the highlight’ of the Proclamation signing for him. 

Coronation frustration

The royal complained that 'we can never be on time' as he waited in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed in May 2023

The royal complained that ‘we can never be on time’ as he waited in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed in May 2023

The royal complained that ‘we can never be on time’ as he waited in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed in May 2023.

The monarch was caught on camera speaking to Queen Camilla inside the coach after they arrived five minutes early at Westminster Abbey and ended up waiting in their coach outside.

Prince William, his wife Kate Middleton and children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were said to have been late and ended up having to join the King’s procession through the church because they were unable to overtake to get ahead of him.

Lip reader Jacqui Press, who studied footage of Charles earlier on during the carriage procession, told MailOnline that she believed he said: ‘I’m worried about time, I mean it’s been longer this time and, well, erm, I mean look! I know.’

Another lip reader told Sky News that the King said: ‘We can never be on time. Yes, I’m… this is a negative. There’s always something’.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were supposed to arrive and be seated before Charles and Camilla, according to the Coronation’s official order of service. 

Instead, they arrived after Charles, meaning the King first had to wait in his carriage before he finally walked into the Abbey ahead of his eldest son.

Most of the 2,300 guests – including world leaders, royal dignitaries, celebrities and everyday heroes – had already taken their seats inside the church two hours before the ceremony began.

Presidential pique 

King Charles appeared to briefly lose his patience when he tried to get President Joe Biden to move along during their meeting at Windsor Castle last year

King Charles appeared to briefly lose his patience when he tried to get President Joe Biden to move along during their meeting at Windsor Castle last year

King Charles appeared to briefly lose his patience when he tried to get President Joe Biden to move along during their meeting at Windsor Castle last year. 

Biden appeared reluctant to end his conversation when Charles tried to get him to stop talking during their inspection of the Welsh Guards in the middle of a welcome ceremony.

A hands-on Biden grabbed Charles’ arm as they embraced and shook hands, then put his hand on his back during their lap of the quadrangle.

He also clutched the handrail to get on stage for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner after forcing Charles to wait for his SUV to drive through the castle.

The pair smiled and joked during the formalities, and ushered each other around the grounds of the historic castle, before holding talks on climate change.

At one point, the monarch tried to get Biden to keep walking while he spoke to one of the guards. The president stood and kept chatting while the King tried, and failed, to get him to keep moving.

Charles then appeared to direct his anger at the guard before walking away with the president.

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