King Charles made a hilarious reference to icons adored by his grandchildren during the speech he delivered at the state banquet.
King Charles made a sweet nod to his royal grandchildren as he delivered a speech at the state banquet thrown in honour of Emperor Nahurito and Empress Masako of Japan.
Paying tribute to his important guests, who are on a three-day official visit to the UK, the monarch referred to Japanese cultural icons including the fictional character Hello Kitty and the video game Pokemon while addressing the Emperor.
Referring to the four-decade-long friendship he shares with the Japanese emperor, King Charles reminisced about the times they went fly fishing together, cracking a self-deprecating joke.
He said: “I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing.
“The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ‘em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational!”
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not attend the state banquet
Reporting the speech, the Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English also described how Prince William reacted to hearing the King casually mentioning his grandchildren and their passions.
She wrote on X: “There was a little smile from William at the mention of Pokemon and grandchildren.”
King Charles is the grandfather of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis – the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children – and Prince Archie Harrison and Princess Lilibet Diana – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son and daughter.
Prince William attended the state banquet without Princess Kate (Image: GETTY)
While the King can’t spend much time with the Sussexes’ children as they live in the US, he has the chance to be with George, Louis and Charlotte more often after the Wales’ relocation from central London to Windsor in September 2022.
Prince William attended the state banquet without Kate, Princess of Wales, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and his children, who never attend similar official events.
The Prince of Wales was one of the senior royals flanking the King, who is also undertaking cancer treatment, during the major reception at the palace’s Ballroom. He was accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
