The King appeared in good spirits as he attended a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House in honor of outgoing music director Sir Antonio Pappano.
It’s been a busy time for King Charles, who yesterday performed his fifth engagement in 48 hours – a star-studded garden party at Buckingham Palace – and the monarch shows no signs of slowing down.
Charles, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, is said to be delighted that his doctors have cleared him to make more public engagements again.
His Majesty, 75, became patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a huge fan of the arts, so it’s no surprise that he seemed to be in his element enjoying such a moving tribute to one of the world’s most respected composers. country.
The special one-off gala performance, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s extensive 22-year tenure as music director, featured renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as The Royal Opera Chorus and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Beaming King Charles reacts as he meets the cast of the special gala performance for Sir Antonio Pappano
King Charles shakes hands with Sir Antonio Pappano. The King appeared in good spirits as he attended a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House
King Charles will walk alongside Antonio Pappano at the Royal Opera House in London tonight
The singers and orchestra performed the arias and music that typified Sir Antonio’s time as music director, which spanned his 22-year career.
After tonight’s show, King Charles met with the man of the hour, Sir Antonio, as well as the main artists and orchestra musicians to congratulate them on the performance.
Sir Antonio Pappano conducted the Coronation Orchestra last year and in recognition of his performance he was made Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2024 New Year Honours.
Sir Antonio said of his involvement at the time: ‘I am deeply honored to have been chosen by His Majesty to take part in the musical presentations that will embrace the historic occasion of his coronation.
“His Majesty has chosen a wonderful and varied program that I believe will enhance the splendor of this special celebration.”
In addition to a love of opera, King Charles is also a fan of ballet, having been president of the Royal Ballet since 2003.
Last week it was announced by the Palace that His Majesty will retain the patronage of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera, as well as taking over his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s long-standing patronage of The Royal Ballet.
Oliver Mears, director of The Royal Opera, said Opera thread called retaining his patronage an “enormous honor.”
He said: ‘It is a tremendous honor that His Majesty the King has agreed to retain his patronage of the Royal Opera.
“Opera has a rich history and an exciting future, and we are pleased that His Majesty will continue his generous support of our world-class company.”
King Charles meets the cast of a special gala performance, on the day of an event celebrating Antonio Pappano’s 22 years as music director at the Royal Opera House
His Majesty, 75, became patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a huge fan of the arts, so it’s no surprise that he seemed to be in his element enjoying such a moving tribute to one of the world’s most respected composers. country.
The special one-off gala performance, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s extensive 22-year tenure as music director, featured renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as The Royal Opera Chorus and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Alex Beard, Executive Director of the Royal Opera, added: ‘For more than sixty years we have benefited from the dedicated support of the Royal Family, and we are extremely grateful to His Majesty for continuing to recognize the work we do to advance ballet world-class. and opera for audiences across the country and around the world.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla last visited the Royal Opera House together in November for a performance of ‘Don Quichotte’, which was staged for the benefit of NHS workers.
The performance was hosted by legendary ballet dancer Darcey Bussell and BBC presenter Petroc Trelawny, with the show broadcast as a live cinema stream to 1,000 cinemas in the UK and around the world.
Buckingham Palace released a statement about the outing, saying: ‘The Queen shares His Majesty’s love of ballet and, as Duchess of Cornwall, became patron of the Elmhurst Ballet School in 2006.
‘Her Majesty is also Vice Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance and takes ‘Silver Swan’ ballet classes for older students.’
Meanwhile, the Queen today revealed that the King is ‘getting better’ before joking: ‘Well, he would if he was well behaved.’
After tonight’s show, King Charles met with the man of the hour, Sir Antonio, as well as the main artists and orchestra musicians to congratulate them on the performance
Antonio Pappano poses with the glamorous cast of the special gala performance in London
Camilla, 76, was chatting to guests at a garden party at Lamb House in Rye, East Sussex, where she was treated to a performance by actors Timothy West and Hayley Mills.
Earlier this week alone, the king hosted five major events in 48 hours – and his wife revealed he was ‘quite angry that he couldn’t attend’ but had been ‘dragged off to more menial tasks’.
She was visiting Lamb House, home of author EF Benson, on a day of literary engagements in Sussex.
The Queen has made no secret of her frustration that her husband works too hard, but sources say she understands and accepts his prodigious work ethic.
The king had been tirelessly conducting state business and royal duties behind the scenes since his diagnosis and has now been given the green light to attend more events in public.
He will also lead the royal family at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week, as previously revealed by the Mail.
It comes after reality TV presenter Maya Jama tried to gain a new fan when she asked the King if he watched Love Island during a garden party at Buckingham Palace celebrating the creative industries.
Charles laughed and joked with guests as he joined the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester in the palace gardens on Wednesday.
Jama, 29, introduced himself as a TV presenter and said: ‘I present Love Island. I don’t know if you’ve watched it? It’s a reality dating show.’ Laughing, the king replied, “One is born every minute.”
When asked about her future plans, she told him, “I’m about to go to Spain to film some young people kissing someone.”
Other famous attendees included documentary maker Louis Theroux, Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott and artist Tracey Emin.
About 4,000 representatives from the world of culture, art, heritage, film, TV, radio and fashion were present.
Charles, dressed in a gray suit, pink waistcoat and top hat, smiled at the gathered crowd as he entered the garden from the palace.
Camilla wore a pale pink fringed coat dress from Anna Valentine with a matching hat from Philip Treacy, and completed her outfit with the late Queen’s pink diamond flower brooch.
The royal couple stood at the top of the garden steps to observe the national anthem before the crowd applauded. Charles and Camilla then greeted groups of attendees separately.
The king has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February but has returned to public duties, including holding his first investiture ceremony in five months at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
