In a display of his renowned dry wit, King Charles shared a surprisingly candid and humorous moment with a military veteran during a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The monarch, 75, revealed a startling detail from his past while chatting with a former soldier who had been targeted by the IRA.
The touching exchange occurred as His Majesty met with guests from the Not Forgotten Association, a charity supporting wounded, injured, and sick veterans. The conversation took a personal turn when the King spoke with Dennis Jackson, a veteran who had been shot by the IRA in Germany in 1989.
"I nearly got shot in Australia," the King quipped, referencing the infamous 1994 incident where a student fired a starting pistol at him during a visit to Sydney. "It was only a blank, fortunately, but it made me jump."
The rare personal reflection provided a glimpse into the very real security challenges faced by the Royal Family. The 1994 incident saw David Kang charge towards the then-Prince of Wales, firing two shots from a starting pistol before being wrestled to the ground by police.
The garden party, a traditional summer event hosted by the monarch, was filled with such warm and personal interactions. The King, alongside Queen Camilla, spent hours speaking with guests, showcasing the human side of the monarchy that often remains hidden from public view.
This remarkable display of humour in the face of past danger highlights the King's resilience and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life on a deeply personal level.
