King Charles broke royal protocol in a rare moment of public affection yesterday as he reunited with an old friend during the first day of his US state visit.
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In footage taken during the King and Queen Camilla‘s lavish garden party held at the British Embassy in Washington, Barbara Allbritton, who previously served as the Chair of the Prince of Wales Foundation in the US, deviated from the norm of a handshake.
Instead, Barbara placed her arm around the monarch, 77, and pulled him into a warm embrace, before giving him a light kiss on his cheek that signified their familiar bond.
Placing a tender hand on his shoulder for a short period, she was seen smiling brightly as the pair held a brief but animated conversation, while other guests at the garden party watched on at their heartwarming interaction.
The lighthearted moment soon attracted the attention of numerous social media users, who noted that the pair have ‘known each other for a long time’ and were understandably ‘delighted’ to have spotted one another in the crowd of 650 guests.
‘The pair are obviously known to each other. Charles reached for the hug at the same time,’ one X user commented.
However, others suggested that the decision to hug the monarch deviated from royal protocol which traditionally discourages members of the Firm from hugging or initiating any physical contact with members of the public.
‘I know numerous protocols were broken but I love this for her,’ added one onlooker, while another added: ‘This lady did what half of Britain wishes they could – break protocol and show some real human warmth to the King.’