The King surprised walkers enjoying a sunny day in the countryside as he took a stroll on a ‘marvellous’ new coastal path named in his honour.
Several members of the public gasped ‘Is that actually the King?’ when they noticed him walking through the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve in East Sussex this morning.
‘The King? Are you serious?’ said another man in his 20s.
One, topless and barefoot on the stony chalk path, simply nodded at His Majesty – sporting a thick jacket and carrying a crook – as his Yorkshire terrier sniffed at his feet.
The King, 77, also joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were ‘cheating!’ and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet.
He called the project ‘marvellous’, and the work people were doing to get it finished ‘fantastic’.
Charles, a keen walker himself, strolled a two-kilometre route along the new King Charles III England Coast Path, which will ultimately stretch 2,700 miles all the way around the country – the longest continuous managed coastal walking route in the world.
It has been named after the King in honour of his love of conserving the natural world.
The King surprised walkers enjoying a sunny day in the countryside as he took a stroll on a ‘marvellous’ new coastal path named in his honour
His visit also marked the opening of the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, which has been created as a lasting legacy of his coronation.
He unveiled two plaques en route, joking that the latter – on a windy clifftop – might unveil itself if the breeze on the cloth covering it continued.
Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, told the King it was ‘wonderful you’re here to see it’, given it is one of the ‘things closest to your heart’.
‘And the path will always be there?’ the King clarified. ‘It’s the longest one anywhere?’
Signalling to the sunny weather, he added: ‘We’ve come at the right time.’
After a cup of tea, the King was taken to the beginning of his country walk, which lasted for around an hour, with pauses for the plaque unveilings on the way.
As two friends, retired women, walked past and spotted the King, one said: ‘It’s not what we expected, is it?’
As he reached the coast and the spectacular view over Seven Sisters, he encountered more people, asking them about their outings.
‘Have you got the latest bikes?’ he asked cyclists. ‘E-bikes! Cheating!’
The King, 77, also joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were ‘cheating!’ and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet
Britain’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds and Britain’s King Charles walk as he inaugurates ‘The King Charles III England Coast Path’ at Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve
King Charles meets partners in the project
He unveiled two plaques en route, joking that the latter – on a windy clifftop – might unveil itself if the breeze on the cloth covering it continued
Several members of the public gasped ‘Is that actually the King?’ when they noticed him walking through the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve in East Sussex this morning
After the walk, Mr Juniper said the King had been totally focussed on the walk, explaining: ‘We don’t do small talk with His Majesty, not when he’s out looking at nature. He’s so interested in animals, plants, geology…
‘He finds it fascinating and uplifting to see the work being done here, working together to bring this landscape and vision to life.’
The Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve is the 13th National Nature Reserve of the 25 planned by 2028.
The King Charles III England Coast Path is a 2,700-mile National Trail, designed to connect landmarks, unlock parts of England’s coastline for public access for the first time, and encourage the public to spend more time in nature.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the US next month will go ahead as planned, despite serious tension between American president Donald Trump and the Prime Minister over the Iran war.
Some have called for it to be postponed or cancelled altogether, believing such a show of joviality would be inappropriate, but plans are already in the final stages.
Earlier today, the King and Queen bid farewell to the President and First Lady of Nigeria at Windsor Castle following their successful state visit.
Noting the blue skies and sunshine, the Queen said to Mrs Tinubu: ‘Well it’s a lovely day.’
The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards lined the quadrangle in the Castle, as a trumpeter sounded a royal salute before the President and the First Lady left the grounds in a waiting Bentley car.
A palace spokesman said: ‘The visit was marked by genuine warmth and mutual respect from the King and the President.
‘As demonstrated from their two speeches at the State Banquet, there exists a strong friendship and wealth of opportunity between our two nations.
‘With the complexity of geopolitical issues across the world, it underscores the importance of standing close and proud with our Commonwealth partners.’
eThe King Charles III England Coast Path is a 2,700-mile National Trail, designed to connect landmarks, unlock parts of England’s coastline for public access for the first time, and encourage the public to spend more time in natur
On Wednesday night, the King hosted a state banquet in honour of the couple that was attended by senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also present, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, took their seats among the British royals for the crescendo of their two-day visit.
Princess Catherine looked impossibly regal in a flowing green evening gown by Andrew Gn with her favourite Lover’s Knot Tiara and earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
She showed the guests the best of British hospitality, smiling warmly as she took her seat between the president and another of his entourage.
The rest of the present royals added to the dazzling display, with the Prince of Wales wearing a white tie with the Windsor tailcoat and his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the ‘Lesser George’.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla sported a cream embroidered gown by Fiona Clare with a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching earrings, both belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and given to her by her late father, George VI, as a wedding gift.