Inquiring about his health during his last engagement before Christmas, King Charles joked, "I'm still alive."
According to Mirror, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Waltham Forest Town Hall in north London; they met with local community volunteers, young people, officials from emergency services, and representatives from faith organizations. They praised the spirit of community engagement.
Harvinder Rattan, Sikh faith representative, said, "Your Majesty, good morning, how are you?" The King, 76, replied, jokingly, "I'm still alive."
It comes at a time when it has been revealed that the cancer treatment for the queen will continue throughout the New Year. Usman Khalid, the proprietor of Havens Café, is a former asylum seeker who now teaches refugees how to become baristas. King Charles and Queen Camilla also met locals at a reception, where refreshments were served by Havens Café. During their conversation, King Charles said to Usman that his coffee "looks good."
Hindustan Times reported that two bags of teddy bears from Buckingham Palace were presented by Queen Camilla to the community organization Citizens UK, which would then deliver the toys to youngsters in the surrounding area.
George Gaillett, community organiser at Citizens UK, said afterwards: "The Queen said 'we hope you can distribute this and they can go to the right people'."
Alexandra Martinelli-Kinmouth, who works for the charitable organization The Together Space, brewed a cup of tea for the King. Afterward, she mentioned that she had hoped the tea wasn't too cold and had talked about her charity. The King smiled and expressed a wish that the tea contained some honey, which it did.
In addition, the pair gave food to Tracey Rogers, who is a member of the Highams Park Hub, so that it may be distributed at a food bank. Tracey said afterwards, "I went to the Coronation and told him the atmosphere was absolutely phenomenal." The Chief Executive Officer of Waltham Forest Community Hub, Monwara Ali, also extended a high-five to the King.
Afterward, she explained that it was important for their generation, especially those in leadership roles, to engage with the younger generation as part of the succession plan. She noted that the King was happy to participate, and she found it amazing that he agreed.
Outside, the King was treated to a performance by A Little Choir of Joy, a children's choir comprised of children ranging in age from eight to twelve years old who attended schools located throughout the borough.
He went to speak to the youngsters and said, "I hope you have a Happy Christmas. And also to your poor teachers."
While the Queen remained in the car because it was too chilly, the King stepped out to meet with the dozens of people who had come to show their interest in the event.
After a meeting in Osaka, Japan, in 1970, Caroline Akuffo, who was 77 years old at the time, presented the King with a black and white photograph that she had framed and displayed on her wall.
She said, "It was a trade fair. He came to the pavilion and I remember shaking his hands and they were so soft it was like holding cotton wool. He was so happy to see the photo and said I was wearing a lovely dress."
Following the widespread disruption that occurred after three children were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed party in Southport, thousands of people of Waltham Forest participated in a peaceful anti-racism demonstration.
The national charity known as City of Sanctuary bestowed upon Waltham Forest the official recognition of being a Borough of Sanctuary in the month of December 2023. It is the last royal event that the King and Queen will attend before they go on vacation for the holiday season.
Business Times has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comments.
