King Charles' cheeky comment to D-Day veteran during royal appearance in Lancaster
The king was met by protestors at LancasterKing Charles shared a laugh with a D-Day veteran during a royal engagement today in Lancaster (Monday, June 9).
The king, 76, was in the north today, where he took part in a ceremony of keys outside Lancaster Castle. This is a tradition that dates back to 1851, when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
King Charles shares a laugh with D-Day veteran
The king’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last participated in the tradition back in 2015.
Once inside the grounds of the castle, the king met with local business owners, who were showcasing their work. He smelled some of the cheeses that were on display, and was gifted a necktie and some gloves from a local wool shop.
It was during the reception at the castle that the king met 101-year-old D-Day veteran Richard Brock.
Charles lauded the veteran as “amazing” and told him to “keep drinking the whisky”.
The monarch recognised the veteran from a previous encounter in Normandy last year.
Upon learning Mr. Brock’s age, Charles said: “You are fantastic.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Brock said: “He just told me I was amazing for my age.”
His son, Tony, who was with him, added: “He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.”
Protestors present at King Charles’ royal engagement
However, there was some negativity around Charles’ appearance in Lancaster today.
The monarch was greeted by adoring crowds in the northern city, however, there were also anti-monarchy protestors present.
The protestors were heard chanting “Not my King” as Charles exited his car.
They were also spotted waving bright yellow banners with “Abolish the Monarchy” written on them. Other banners featured slogans such as “Ditch the Duchies” and “Not my King”.
Speaking to GB News earlier today, royal correspondent Cameron Walker spoke to Republic CEO Graham Smith, who claimed that the king “definitely knows” about the protestors. He claimed that the king “looked out the window at us as his car drove past”.
He later added that he was “disappointed” that Charles was in Lancaster.
Charles to ditch royal tradition at Trooping the Colour
Charles’ visit to Lancaster comes amid news that he will never ride on the back of a horse again at Trooping the Colour.
Before 2023, the last time a monarch had taken the salute on horseback was in 1986 when Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne.
Charles revived the ancient tradition in 2023’s Trooping the Colour. However, following his cancer diagnosis, he attended last year’s event via a horse-drawn carriage instead.
The king will reportedly do this again on Saturday (June 14), with officials believing it to be safer and more comfortable for him.
The curtailing of riding horseback at the parade is one of the few concessions he has made while battling cancer and working a full diary.
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