King Charles laughed off a royal protocol blunder during his visit to Grimsby after a staff member accidentally called him "darling" instead of "Your Majesty." The 77-year-old monarch met with staff at Grimsby Town Football Club's Blundell Park in Cleethorpes, north-east Lincolnshire, on Thursday.
An Unexpected Greeting
Francine Orr, the ticket office manager for the football club, shared her amusing encounter with the King. She accidentally referred to him as "darling" instead of the customary "Your Majesty" when it was her turn to greet him. Francine then revealed his response to her faux pas.
"We were briefed on what we should say and what we shouldn't say, how we should bow and how we should curtsy. I've had it in my brain all morning, then he comes up to me... and he shakes my hand, and I said 'All right darling, oh no, I'm so sorry Your Majesty,'" she said.
"He went 'That's OK', and he laughed, and he stood back, and he went 'I like being called darling.'" She then expressed her delight at meeting the King, adding: "He was so down to earth. Lovely, lovely man. It was so good he's come to Grimsby to meet everyone at Grimsby Town."
Earlier Engagements
Earlier that day, the King visited the Horizon Youth Zone state-of-the-art facility in Grimsby, where he engaged with schoolchildren, armed services cadets, and members of a scouting group. The King is set to appear in London this weekend for the annual Trooping the Colour on June 13.
Upcoming Royal Events
The monarch will be accompanied by other senior royals including Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne. In addition to Trooping the Colour, the funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks, who passed away earlier this month, is scheduled for tomorrow. It is currently unclear whether any members of the royal family will attend.
