King Charles surprises crowds on Mall with a walkabout after special reception at Buckingham Palace

With less than 24 hours to go before he is crowned, Charles III hosted a lunch for Prime Ministers of the Realms at Buckingham Palace. 

On Friday, 5th May, His Majesty was joined by working members of the Royal Family to welcome the Prime Ministers of the countries in which the King is Head of State. 

Among the guests were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hopkins, both of whom have arrived in the British capital earlier this week ahead of the Coronation. 

Both of them have had the opportunity to hold private conversations with King Charles III and the Prince of Wales, whom alternated in welcoming them at Buckingham and Kensington Palace respectively; on Tuesday, the King held an audience with PM Albanese, while Prince William talked to PM Hipkins. Two days later, it was the opposite, with Mr Albanese chatting with the Prince of Wales at Kensington, while Mr Hipkins shared a cup of tea and climate change talks with King Charles, before leaving the Palace with a tray of “exceptionally good” sausage rolls. 

For the lunch on Friday, King Charles was joined by all working members of the Royal Family: the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent. 

They all had a chance to mingle with Prime Ministers and Governors General of the 15 Realms of the Commonwealth, while outside torrential rain was followed by sunshine as crowds took their places to join those already camped outside waiting for tomorrow’s procession. 

Some of those on the Mall got the chance to meet the royals soon afterwards when King Charles, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, went on a walkabout.

All protagonists were also spotted this morning in Westminster Abbey, presumably carrying out a last run-through of the event before the big day tomorrow. They are also expected to be back at Buckingham Palace tonight for a big reception hosting all foreign Heads of State, representatives and dignitaries that have flocked to London to attend this historic event.