The King found himself at the centre of a group hug at Buckingham Palace and seemed all the happier for it.
King Charles had just welcomed the Black Ferns rugby union team to the palace when he found himself at the centre of a rather unusual request. The New Zealand women’s team are on an end of year tour to the UK and were getting ready to play the Red Roses at Twickenham.
As they enjoyed a royal reception, the players asked The King if they could have a hug. The question was, in the phrase of late summer, very demure and very mindful as they said ‘we all wanted a hug but only if that is okay with you.” The suggestion met with an instant response as The King replied ”why not!”.
He didn’t have a chance to think again as they players all but scrummed in for their royal cuddle.
King Charles laughed as he emerged from the hug which ended with high fives all round.
During the royal reception, His Majesty met all the players and coaching staff of the Black Ferns. The team is one of the most successful national rugby union sides in the world, winning six of the nine Women’s World Cup tournaments held so far.
