Breaking News: King Charles leaves onlookers gobsmacked with unexpected act on walkabout….See More

The King and Queen Camilla spent 20 minutes walking up and down, shaking hands with members of the throng in Middlesbrough on a royal ‘awayday’ to the town

King Charles amply surprised wellwishers by boldly confronting a small gathering of protestors during a Royal walkabout in Middlesbrough. The King, alongside Queen Camilla, had been on a packed ‘awayday’ to Teesside, filled with four official engagements.

The day concluded with the customary mingling among the townspeople where many greeted them with cheers and flag-waving, some even adorning their pets in union flag attire.

For 20 minutes, the King and Queen engaged with the public, exchanging handshakes with those lining the streets. During this time, they encountered a group of republican demonstrators displaying their dissent, but the monarch addressed them directly, undeterred, continuing to greet his supporters in their presence — much to fans’ pleasure.

Local resident Julie Parker, aged 65, described her excitement: “I had been waiting here since 11am [three hours] to see him and then that lot [Republic] turned up behind me and started waving their flags. Everyone has a right to their opinion but I do think they could have picked a better time and place and we didn’t think the King would come near us,” only to be happily proven wrong as she got to greet the King personally. “But he did! And we got to say hello. He’s a remarkable man, he really is. We have a lot of admiration for him.”

Additionally, His Majesty made a centenarian’s landmark 100th birthday extra special by presenting her with a birthday card from himself and the Queen, reports the Mirror.

He was introduced to Rona Grafton who had been eagerly awaiting the chance to meet him. As he leaned in and shook her hand, he wished her: “A very, very happy birthday. Here’s a card from both of us.”

Gently touching Queen Camilla’s shoulder, he emphasised: “From both of us.” The Queen echoed the sentiment with: “A very happy birthday.”

After progressing along the line, the King boarded his State Bentley with the Queen, but they had barely travelled a few yards when he noticed the extent of the crowd and instructed his driver to halt.

To the delight of those gathered, he and Camilla stepped out once more to rapturous applause, determined to shake hands with everyone down to the end of the street. Paul and Shirley Williams were astonished by the unexpected gesture.

“We thought we wouldn’t get the chance and that maybe his car would slow down and he would wave out of the window,” Paul shared. “We couldn’t believe it when they got out. He approached me and enquired about my well-being. Considering all he’s been through, I was amazed. How kind. When I asked how he was, he replied that he was doing well.”

Val Haskins, 64, recounted how the king paused to compliment her Union Jack coat, saying: “He said I looked very patriotic,” she beamed. “I shook his hand. It was absolutely mint.”

Elaine Dunn, aged 67 and a friend of the King, heaped praise on Charles, saying: “We love King Charles, we really do. He’s a good man. We are so delighted he has got the chance to show the nation the kind of man he is after the Queen died. He cares about his people, he really does. It was a lovely moment and I can’t believe we got the chance to speak to him.”