King Charles shares 'very healing' hug with New Zealand women's rugby team at Palace bash

King Charles was the picture of joy as he received a group hug from the New Zealand women's rugby team, the Black Ferns, during their visit to Britain for a match against England's Red Roses. The monarch was visibly amused after he agreed to a spontaneous embrace, responding with a good-natured "hug? Why not".

The warm moment was sparked by Ayesha Leti-I'iga, the team's winger, and her teammates were quick to join in, resulting in a burst of laughter from His Royal Highness at the Buckingham Palace event. Later, King Charles had the players chuckling with his witty comment in his speech, expressing his gratitude for the "I much appreciated this chance to meet you and have such a warm hug from most of you," and jokingly referring to it as "very healing".

In the midst of the light-hearted event, it was revealed that King Charles is set to embark on his first major tour since his cancer diagnosis, which includes a trip to Australia and a Commonwealth leaders' summit in Samoa. However, he shared his regret at being unable to include New Zealand in his itinerary due to "doctor's orders".

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He expressed his disappointment to the Kiwi team, saying: "I'm extremely sorry I can't come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor's orders, but I hope there'll be another excuse (to come) before not too long."

At the reception, while the guests sipped champagne, the sportsmen opted for non-alcoholic beverages like fruit juice and water. King Charles lightened the atmosphere by quipping about not being able to offer drinks to the players: "I'm so pleased to have this opportunity to greet you all, for a short moment apparently not to be able to give you a drink.", reports the Mirror.

King Charles partook in a hongi with Allan Bunting, head coach and director of rugby for the Black Fernsthis traditional Maori nose-pressing greeting added to the event's cultural depth.

After expressing his sympathy over the loss of New Zealands Maori King Tuheitia, the athletes honoured the King with a waiata, serenading him with their traditional welcome song.

Immersed in the cheerful energy of the squad preparing to take on England at Twickenham this weekenda match echoing the 2022 Rugby World Cup finalthe King divulged tales of playing rugby during his school days and even recounted breaking his nose while playing in the second row, jesting: "It was the worst position, it was a bit dangerous sometimes."

In a lighter exchange with Ms Leti-I'iga and her teammates about their dietary habits, the King was met with a witty response from Ms Leti-I'iga who jested: "Do I look like someone who sticks to a diet? ".