Anna Williamson, the relationships expert on Channel 4's Celebs Go Dating, has recalled a mortifying encounter with King Charles, during which she stumbled into the monarch and accidentally spat food in his face. The incident occurred at a reception in the gardens of Highgrove in Gloucestershire several years ago, when Charles was still Prince of Wales.
Ambassador for the King's Trust
Williamson, who is a long-time ambassador for the King's Trust (formerly the Prince's Trust), shared the story on Joe Marler's podcast, where he asked her to recall her most embarrassing celebrity encounter. She said she had 'a few encounters that spring to mind' but her first meeting with the King was the most memorable.
During the reception, Williamson was balancing a small plate of risotto when the opportunity to greet Charles arose. Unsure of the correct protocol, she attempted to combine a curtsey, a bow, and a handshake all at once.
The Mortifying Moment
Speaking on the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast, she said: "The King came over and you can curtsey or do a variety of things that are respectful - a bow, a handshake - and I sort of did them all at once." She lost her footing mid-curtsey and fell into the King, spitting pea risotto into his face as she did so.
"He had to sort of push me back into place once I fell, and I spat risotto into his face," she said. "I looked p***ed. So not only did I spit pea risotto on our now monarch, but I stumbled mid-curtsey because I over committed and fell into him. I had to be pulled off him."
Security and Aftermath
Marler's co-host Jake Bhardwaj asked if Charles's security were concerned, but Williamson said they were lovely and helped her back on her feet. "Everyone was quite chill, it was more the people I was with who were all laughing at me. Charles himself did offer to collect me and stand me back up again with security, but that was how I broke the ice with the King," she said. Marler responded: "Certainly a unique way of doing that."
Royal Connections on the Podcast
This is not the first time the podcast has had a royal connection. In July, Prince Harry appeared on the show, where he joked about being bullied as a child over his hair colour, gave a lengthy list of his occupations, and spoke about the Invictus Games. During the chat, Harry quipped that people say he is ginger, but his hair is actually 'sunset auburn'. He also listed his roles: "Full-time dad. British Army veteran. Prince of England. Duke. But for today, I don't know. What do you want?"
