King Charles Sports a Favorite Tie for Return to Work amid Cancer Treatment — Inside Its Clever Meaning

The dinosaur tie might be a nod to his official signature as King

King Charles reached for a cheerful tie for his first public engagement following his cancer diagnosis, sparking speculation about its meaning.

The King, 75, significantly stepped out for his first forward-facing engagement since the palace announced the news about his health in February, visiting the Macmillan Cancer Centre at the University College Hospital London on April 30 with Queen Camilla. The monarch stylishly arrived in a navy pinstripe suit with a pocket square paired with his pink and blue tie featuring dinosaurs.

An unexpected commentator — the Natural History Museum of London — soon chimed in the necktie with a lighthearted take.

"Who wore it best?" the museum team asked on X on May 1, juxtaposing photos of the King’s fashion statement next to photos of a T-Rex sporting a tie featuring King Charles’ face.

Related: Queen Camilla Speaks from the Heart for Key Cause Following King Charles' Return to Work amid Cancer Diagnosis

"Great to see the King giving a cheeky nod to the king of the dinosaurs in this fantastic T. rex tie while out on duties," the museum team continued. "Our very own T. rex had chosen his King Charles tie to wear to say hello to visitors this morning! One of them will have to change..."

The post even elicited a reaction from the palace, which reposted the montage on King Charles and Queen Camilla’s official page.

"Rex-cellent choice!" courtiers wrote on May 1 with dinosaur emojis.

Related: The Personal Detail King Charles Shared with Fellow Cancer Patients as He Resumed Royal Duties

The dinosaur tie has been in the King’s closet since at least January 2023, when he wore it to church near the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The accessory immediately caught royal watchers’ attention, as the sovereign typically opts for more demure patterns.

According to the Daily Mail, the tie is thought to be a Christmas gift from one of his grandchildren, and royal biographer Robert Hardman speculated that it connects to a royal symbol.

"Featuring a blue dinosaur pattern on a pink silk background, it is a cheeky play on his official 'Charles III Rex' cypher. Staff know that when 'C-Rex' is wearing his 'T-Rex' tie, he probably has a spring in his step," Hardman wrote for the outlet.

And that certainly seemed to be the case for the King's return to royal outings.

"I felt pleased for the King," royalist John Loughrey, 69, told PEOPLE outside the hospital. "For me, it’s nice to see him back, and we all missed him. He’s come here today to see people who’ve got cancer and show that he — and they’re — not alone.”

When King Charles acceded to the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, he took on a new signature, "Charles R," and a coordinating emblem, or cypher. A moniker full of meaning, the "R" in "Charles R" stands for "King" in Latin and has been traditionally used for the monarch dating back to the 12th century.

When used by queens, the "R" stands for "Regina," or "Queen" in Latin, and is now used by Queen Camilla, like Queen Elizabeth before her. In the fall, King Charles and Queen Camilla memorably penned birthday cards to the oldest man and woman in the U.K., signed with their regnal signatures.

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Buckingham Palace previously revealed the King's official royal cypher soon after his accession, which Hardman referenced. The monogram shows the crown above his first initial "C" intertwined with an "R" for Rex, with his regnal number "III" inside the "R."

King Charles chose the design from several that were created by the palace's heraldry experts, the College of Arms. The emblem is gradually being rolled out where royal symbols are shown, like mailboxes and royal uniforms, replacing Queen Elizabeth's "ERII" insignia.

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