King Charles Bumps Into Texas Tourists on London Street and Leaves Them Stunned: 'That Was Unreal!'

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles' busy schedule didn’t stop him from saying hello to tourists he unexpectedly bumped into on the street in London.

“There he is,” someone said in a fan-filmed video, as the King moved towards one of two groups gathered outside.

“I’m so sorry you’re being stopped from having to get on the street,” the King said apologetically as he approached the group. “Are you all trying to go somewhere else today, are you?” he joked, adding, “You’re not getting too wet, I hope?” in reference to the rainy weather.

King Charles leaves St. Peter’s Church in London on Dec. 4, 2024.MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty

MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty

“Are you all living around here?” the King asked as the gathered group enthusiastically called out their hometowns, including Texas, Barcelona and Japan.

“Texas!” the King exclaimed, clearly surprised. “I don’t believe it. Are you having an enjoyable time in London?” he asked as several voices in the crowd chimed in with an eager yes.

“Anyway, I do hope you make the most of it,” he added warmly, waving as he began to walk away. “Have a very happy Christmas,” he said with a smile.

“That was unreal! Definitely worth the wait,” someone said offscreen as laughter and chatter could be heard in the background. “What a man, what a guy.”

The video was credited to Arianna Salians via Storyful, according toYahoo News UK, and she told Storyful that the royal encounter was a delightful surprise.

King Charles speaks to Disasters Emergency Committee staff, aid workers and volunteers at St. Peter’s Church in London on Dec. 4, 2024.MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty

“This was a huge surprise as it was our first time in Europe,” she said.

Arianna’s husband, Angel Salinas, told theDaily Mailthat they traveled abroad for her birthday and likened their unexpected chat with the King to a scene from a movie.

“We’ve been waiting for an hour but it was absolutely worth it. I can’t believe he came over and stopped to talk to us. It’s just like in a movie!” he said. “This is the most British thing that could ever happen in the U.K… the King just casually wanders down to say hello. It’s amazing!”

The fan-filmed video of the conversation with King Charles was rare because it captured him from a close vantage point, and gave insight into a casual, everyday exchange.

The King’streatment for canceris ongoing, but he had a busy day of royal duty on Dec. 4 between wrapping thestate visit from Qatarand spending time with the charitable Disasters Emergency Committee.

King Charles and Queen Camilla bid farewell to the Amir of Qatar and his wife, Sheika Jawaher, at Buckingham Palace in London on Dec. 4, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

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King Charles andQueen Camilladidn’t attendKate Middleton’sTogether at Christmas concertat Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, as the Queen, 77, recovers from achest infectionand the couple would have technically overshadowed Princess Kate in theorder of precedenceon her big night. However, the King and Queen are expected to convene the family for the traditional Christmas celebration at Sandringham in two weeks, andPrince Williamreportedly revealed that there will be45 people there.

Royal watchers hope to see the traditional walk to and from church, which will be a major moment for the family and especially Princess Kate, who shared in September that shecompleted chemotherapy treatmentfor cancer.

Kate Middleton at her Together at Christmas concert on Dec. 6, 2024.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Friends and sources say the princess' experience has reshaped her focus, both at home and in her approach to royal duties.

“She is very much in control of herreturn to public life. She is doing what works best for her,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.

source: people.com