King Charles beams as he greets Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, Joe Wicks and clothier Zandra Rhodes at Buckingham Palace reception for Water Aid
The King appeared in high spirits as he greeted campaigners from WaterAid at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening.
Charles, 76, was snapped chatting with retired Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds during a reception in support of the charity in central London.
The 30-year-old, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 – was pictured with a beaming smile as the King shook her hand.
Ellie looked stylish in a lilac and white patterned ensemble and wore her blonde tresses in a sleek bun.
This is not the first time the athlete has met royalty, as she was awarded by MBE by the monarch’s late mother Queen Elizabeth at the 2009 New Year Honours – when she was just 14 years old.
Charles also welcomed Malawian politician Abida Sidik Mia, Paralympic wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan, fashion designer Zandra Rhodes and television presenter Vick Hope.
Zandra dressed Princess Diana on several occasions, with Freddie Mercury and Donna Summer also in her clientele,
In conversation with The Times last year, she shared a glimpse into her relationship with Diana, describing her as warm’, despite having a ‘raw deal’.
The royal looked typically dapper in a navy suit as he posed with campaigner Samia Anwar Rafa in front of WaterAid poster
Charles also greeted retired Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds who was dressed in a stylish lilac and white ensemble
Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes dressed Princess Diana on several occasions, along with Freddy Mercury and Donna Summer
‘You can have all the riches in the world, but if you don’t have love, or don’t feel loved, you have very little,’ Zandra added.
The Body Coach and WaterAid supporter Joe Wicks was also at the event – and has previously called for climate change action.
Charles looked typically dapper in a navy suit as he posed with campaigner Samia Anwar Rafa in front of WaterAid poster.
He was seen warmly greeting WaterAid CEO Tim Wainwright by shaking his hand alongside Young Campaigner Ung Rong Phaltevy.
The pair were seen touring around the digital screens that were placed around the palace for the event – which displayed WaterAid’s core values and message.
It read: ‘Adapting to our changing climate starts with water.’
King Charles – pictured – also welcomed Paralympic wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan
The Body Coach and WaterAid supporter Joe Wicks was also at the event and has previously called for climate change action
The King is famously interested in discussing environmental issues and bringing attention to important causes
TV presenter Vick Hope, pictured, was also in attendance at Buckingham Palace in support of Wateraid
King Charles laughs and smiles as he converses with Dame Zandra Rhodes who previously worked with Princess Diana
Charles, pictured, also shook hands with Young Campaigner Ung Rong Phaltevy on Thursday evening
The monarch, 76, was snapped greeting the WaterAid CEO Tim Wainwright during a Water and Climate reception in support of the charity in central London
Charles was seen touring around the digital screens that were placed around the palace for the event which displayed WaterAid’s core values and message
King Charles greets Malawian politician Abida Sidik Mia at the event at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening
Pictured: King Charles is seen laughing and smiling as he speaks with Paul Olima at the event this evening
The King is famously interested in discussing environmental issues and bringing attention to important climate causes.
He has made his position well known for more than five decades, starting at age 21 in 1970 when he warned of the dangerous effects of plastic pollution on the environment.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos 2020, which was also attended by Greta Thunberg, he said: ‘We simply cannot waste any more time – the only limit is our willingness to act, and the time to act is now.’
In 2024, Charles revealed that he would retain his patronage of WaterAid in the role of Royal Patron.
He has been involved with the charity since 1991, visiting the WaterAid stand at Glastonbury Festival and hosting a number of events for the organisation’s supporters and volunteers.
This comes as Charles once again showed his affection for Canada after receiving two senior figures from the country’s parliament earlier this week.
Following his meeting last week with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the monarch – who is also Canada’s head of state – welcomed the ‘Canadian Usher of the Black Rod’, Greg Peters, and the Speaker of the Canadian senate, Raymonde Gagne, to Buckingham Palace.
Ostensibly the meeting was to bestow a new ceremonial sword on the usher, commissioned by the Senate in His Majesty’s honour to mark his accession to the throne.
While it was a long-standing engagement, it was also considered a chance for King Charles to reaffirm his support and love for Canada and its people.
It is understood that there was a ‘warm exchange of greetings’ – in both French and English from the King – and that he ‘shared his profound personal thanks for such a thoughtful gesture’.
It was followed by half an hour of talks on ‘topics of great concern to all parties, both nationally and internationally’.
