King Charles and Queen Camilla met with plenty of friendly Guernsey residents during their visit to the beautiful Island (Image: Getty)
When ordinary folk encounter members of the Royal family, they usually put on their best manners and often feel a bit star-struck by the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
However, while most are satisfied with a handshake and a few kind words, one dedicated Royal enthusiast decided to seize the moment when she met King Charles on Tuesday - audaciously requesting a kiss from His Majesty during his walkabout in Guernsey.
The surprising incident occurred on July 16, as King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, continued their two-day visit to the Channel Islands, engaging with local residents. The day commenced as scheduled with a trip to St.Peter Port seafront, followed by King Charles presiding over a brief special session of the States of Deliberation (Guernsey's Parliament).
After fulfilling his official responsibilities, the King ventured out to mingle with the throng of admirers who had gathered to welcome him. However, it was the jovial pensioner, Kathleen Moriarty, 91, who truly made the visit unforgettable when she boldly requested a kiss from the monarch.
In a brief video clip shared by the BBC, the cheerful local woman placed her hand on the King's shoulder as he approached to greet her. The pair engaged in a friendly conversation before Kathleen seized the moment to make an extraordinary request, reports the Mirror.
The sweet moment was even caught on camera by several news crews (Image: ITV)
If you can’t do it when you are 91 years old, when can you?
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) July 16, 2024
Kathleen from Guernsey says she’s never kissed a King before, but now she most definitely has!! ?????? pic.twitter.com/qciI3BMcOW
Recalling the incident, she told viewers: "I says to him, 'Please can I give you a kiss? ' And he give me his cheek," Moriarty revealed in the BBC footage. "I just did it! I didn't plan it, and I enjoyed it. He's lovely. It was very nice. I am pleased."
"I thought if all these young dolly birds can do it, this old lady can! " she added, chuckling.
The heartening incident was also caught on camera by ITV reporters, with Royal correspondent Chris Ship sharing the footage of the kiss on social media, much to his followers' delight.
"If you can't do it when you are 91 years old, when can you? Kathleen from Guernsey says she's never kissed a King before, but now she most definitely has! ! " Ship penned.
While the kiss deviated from the usual protocol, the rules regarding interactions with the Royal family have been somewhat relaxed in recent years. Nevertheless, the unexpected kiss certainly took many spectators by surprise!
Kathleen Moriarty, 91, couldn't believe her luck when King Charles allowed her to kiss him (Image: ITV)
— BBC Guernsey (@BBCGuernsey) July 16, 2024?????? "It was very nice!"
91-year-old Kathleen Moriarty took her chance and gave King Charles a peck!
Follow full updates of the royal visit here ?????? https://t.co/FmHYrqHVuQ pic.twitter.com/mpeupHRic5
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According to the official Royal website, which has yet to be updated following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022: "There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the royal family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms."
"For men, this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way."
While the kiss may certainly have been unexpected, it isn't the first time King Charles has welcomed shows of affection while out in public, as the monarch previously permitted a woman to kiss his cheek shortly after his accession to the throne. Just days after his late mother's death, Charles humbly accepted a kiss from a well wisher as he greeted mourners outside of Buckingham Palace, in a moment the woman in question, Jenny Assiminios, later reflected on.
"I have seen him in front of me. I couldn't believe it, and I said to him, 'May I kiss you? ' He said 'Well, yes,' so I grabbed him, and I was very happy," Assiminios recalled during an interview with CNN. She then added: "Thank you, God, for letting me see him and kiss him."
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