Theatregoers at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon were in for a surprise on Friday night when King Charles was among those watching a production of The Tempest.
After recently returning back home following a trip to Northern Ireland, the monarch headed to the Warwickshire town to watch Sir Kenneth Branagh, who was playing the exiled Duke of Milan, Prospero in the comedy production.
The King was a special guest for the production, and he was greeted with cheers and applause as he took his seat alongside Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, the co-artistic directors of the show. Several theatregoers even got their phones out to record the special moment.
During the show’s interval, Charles enjoyed a drink before observing some of the costumes that had been used in previous Shakespeare productions at the theatre. These included the fabric of a dress worn by Dame Judi Dench in a 2003 production of All’s Well That Ends Well.
Calling them “brilliant” he also saw David Tennant’s robe and gown from a 2013 production of Richard II and Sir Antony Sher’s costume with the 1984 production of Richard III.
The King has been a patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2024.
Speaking of his attendance at the play, Daniel and Tamara said: “It was a tremendous honour to welcome His Majesty the King back to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for this landmark production of The Tempest, which marks both Sir Kenneth Branagh’s historic return to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time in over 30 years and Sir Richard Eyre’s debut with the company after a long and distinguished career directing for the British stage.”
King’s Northern Ireland trip
Charles and Queen Camilla recently completed a visit to Northern Ireland, where they spent time with the communities that help to make the country.
In one memorable moment, the royal couple performed with a folk group in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, before sipping on some Irish whiskey.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThey were presented with traditional Bodhran drums, with the King wasting no time in picking it up off the floor, before he began to tap it rhythmically with his drumsticks.
The rhythmic King, 77, was clearly very successful and was soon granted a thumbs-up of approval and was also seen tapping his feet. Queen Camilla then followed suit, after receiving her own musical lesson.
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