'Jolly' King Charles returns to public duties and plays carrot recorder at Windsor Castle music reception
by Eric Williams PA · ChronicleLiveGuests have portrayed the King as "jolly" and "in great spirits" following his whimsical performance on a carrot recorder during a music reception at Windsor Castle.
After a brief hiatus due to temporary side effects from cancer treatment, Charles resumed his public duties, having called off several events towards the end of the previous week.
The monarch hosted a gathering at Windsor Castle this past Thursday to celebrate community music, subsequently marking his return to official functions since taking a restful weekend.
St George's Hall witnessed a unique recital by the London Vegetable Orchestra, Britain's sole group to craft and play instruments from local produce. The ensemble entertained the King, who even tried his hand-or lips-at playing one of their carrot recorders.
April Koyejo of the Royal Opera House shared that the King lightheartedly expressed his hope to her that the vegetables would be consumed post-performance, keen on avoiding any wastage.
In the grandeur of Windsor's Waterloo Chamber, Charles engaged with attendees, who included musicians from the Royal College of Music, members of the Sing for Freedom Choir, and British saxophonist YolanDa Brown, who recalled that the King revealed to her how the performances filled him with joy.
Community radio personality Alan Livingstone, a breakfast DJ from Manchester's All FM, reflected on Charles' demeanor saying: "He was in great spirits, jolly and laughing and joking. That cheeky smile when you hold his hand. He is so genuine."
During their exchange, Livingstone mentioned to the King his late venture into DJing, to which Charles responded positively, appreciating Livingstone’s passion and enthusiasm for his newfound calling.
At the age of 66, Mr Livingstone has made quite a shift from a Royal Mail manager to pursuing his passion as a DJ starting at 64.
Reflecting on the King's resumption of Royal duties, Mr Livingstone remarked with admiration: "Amazing that he makes the effort. What an incredible man, to do all this and encourage people to do good work in the community."
Nazli Erdogan of the Brixton Chamber Orchestra expressed her awe at the dedication shown, commenting: "It is amazing, his sense of duty. You could just be in bed."
The reception was graced by the harmonies of the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus – comprising Ukrainian vocalists touched by combat – who performed from on high.
Bohdan Parashchak, maestro of the chorus, reflected: "We talked about how when you can do something like this, just a few hours a week is like a kind of healing."
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