King Charles was visibly delighted on Monday night when cricket icon Sir Viv Richards presented him with a signed cricket bat during a celebration of the Commonwealth community.
The King, joined by Queen Camilla, hosted the annual Commonwealth Day reception at St James’s Palace, with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also in attendance.
In anticipation of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting set for November in Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Viv Richards, renowned as one of cricket’s all-time great batsmen, gifted the King the special memento.
“Is this a special one?” King Charles asked, clearly intrigued. “Fantastic. Did you use this?”
To which Sir Viv responded, “No, this is for show.”
Queen Camilla, examining the bat, commented, “The master blaster. Are you the master blaster?” referencing Sir Viv’s legendary prowess on the cricket field.
‘That’s what they used to call me,’ the sportsman smiled.
Earlier when the two men first met, Sir Viv told the King he had fond memories of meeting ‘your late mum’ when she hosted the entire World Cup team in 1975, prompting the King to also reminisce.
King Charles and Queen Camilla receive a cricket bat from West Indies great Sir Viv Richards during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at St James’s Palace in London
The King speaks with guests during the annual Commonwealth Day Reception on Monday
His Majesty, accompanied by his wife, hosted the annual Commonwealth Day reception at St James’s Palace
The King greets Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during the special event
The packed reception saw both royals escorted by Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey introduce them to leaders from the family of nations
Earlier the King and Queen joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
The packed reception saw both royals, escorted by Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey, be introduced to leaders from the family of nations, as well as foreign ministers and parliamentarians including Priti Patel. Other notable guests included singer Joan Armatrading.
The King, who is head of the Commonwealth, was mobbed by well wishers eager to shake his hand, and appeared on good form, trying out his knowledge of a number of languages including ‘pigeon English’.
Earlier today, the King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales led the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, marking Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
Kate dazzled in a navy Catherine Walker dress coat and five-strand pearl necklace that belonged to her husband’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
His Majesty, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, ignored a small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protestors as they arrived at the Abbey to support the Commonwealth.
It came amid reports that Charles is set to discuss the thorny issue of his brother Andrew and his place in the order of succession with Commonwealth leaders later.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took time away from the Iran crisis to join dignitaries from around the world in central London this afternoon. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was also in attendance.
Prince Albert of Monaco, Geri Halliwell-Horner and her husband Christian joined an array of stars and politicians in the Abbey.
Charles and the Queen were the last guests to arrive after William and Kate, who were welcomed at the Abbey door by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.
The King and Queen then greeted all the other royals just inside the church before walking through the Abbey together as a family.
Charles’s annual address to the family of nations was included in a special booklet given to the congregation. He said in his message: ‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good…’
He also spoke of tackling ‘testing moments’ in a time of ‘great challenge’.
It came amid reports that Charles is set to discuss the thorny issue of his brother Andrew and his place in the order of succession with Commonwealth leaders later
The King arrives for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey held annually to celebrate the people and cultures of the Commonwealth nations
Charles chats to choir members outside Westminster Abbey after Monday’s event
The King praised the ‘precious’ Commonwealth, describing it as a forum for ‘honest discussion’ aimed at improving the lives of billions in an ‘increasingly fragmented’ world.
Charles also used his Commonwealth Day message to highlight how the institution has ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’.
His words to the 56 member states of the family of nations were released ahead of Monday’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
The King is the titular Head of the Commonwealth, following on from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth.
