King Charles has some piping hot dance moves!
The King showed off his skills on the dance floor at a reception preceding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Wednesday in Samoa. His wife, Queen Camilla, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke of Kent accompanied him for the special evening. Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, are set to visit Samoa for CHOGM and Australia while in Oceania.
The King and Queen held a reception at St. James’s Palace to celebrate the Commonwealth Diaspora. While at the event, Charles took an impromptu Samoan dance lesson from former Samoan professional rugby player Freddie Tuilagi.
Tuilagi held out his hand and asked the King for a dance, per the Telegraph. “I told [the] King I’m going to dance for you — when you go to Samoa, this is how they will dance,” the athlete said after the performance.
When asked how the King’s dancing abilities ranked, Tuilagi responded, “Good. He’s got the moves.”
Singer Grace Jones was also at the reception.
“I have met them a few times, ever since James Bond,” she said of Charles and Camilla, per the outlet. “I also did the hula hoop for the Queen at the Jubilee. So we have a history.”
She continued, “Being Jamaican, I believe that the Commonwealth has positives. It’s a very good thing that brings people together in a positive way.”
The King became Head of the Commonwealth after taking over the throne following the 2022 death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at age 96. The countries that make up the Commonwealth represent almost a third of the world’s population.
According to the palace, 1.5 billion people are under 30, and the King has described the Commonwealth’s youth population as having “extraordinary potential. “
Since 1969, King Charles has visited 46 of the 56 Commonwealth countries and attended the CHOGM on six previous occasions: Edinburgh in 1997, Uganda in 2007, Sri Lanka in 2013, Malta in 2015, the U.K. in 2018, and Rwanda in 2022.
The monarch was most recently in Kenya for a state visit in 2023. The palace shared that Queen Camilla has accompanied her husband many times before and has visited 26 Commonwealth countries.
On Sept. 10, Buckingham Palace shared a slew of information about the King and Queen’s upcoming tour, announcing that the royals will begin their travels on Friday, Oct. 18, and be gone until Saturday, Oct. 26.
This visit marks Charles’ first tour of Commonwealth countries since becoming King. The palace verified speculation that he would attend CHOGM, which kicks off in Samoa on Oct. 21, following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
“Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake an Autumn Tour from Friday 18th — Saturday 26th October 2024. This will include a Royal Visit to Australia, State Visit to The Independent State of Samoa and attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024,” the palace said in a statement.
“The King’s visit to Australia will be His Majesty’s first to a Realm as Monarch, whilst the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa is the first The King will attend as Head of the Commonwealth,” the statement continued. “In both countries, Their Majesties’ engagements will focus on themes designed to celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of The King and Queen’s work.”
In February, Buckingham Palace revealed Charles’ cancer diagnosis.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” they wrote. “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.
“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual,” the palace added.
He then returned to public-facing duties in late April.
“It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?” Charles said, per the Times of London, about discovering his diagnosis.
Charles was heard telling them that he was feeling “well” and “not too bad” as he continued to receive outpatient treatment.
The palace also shared positive sentiments about the King’s progress.
“His Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery,” their spokesperson said at the time.
