Former Spice Girl Geri Horner has given the King a hug, a kiss and an encouraging pep talk during a Prince's Trust event, telling him 'you’re a very modern king'.
In a throwback to her days with her girl group, Horner planted a kiss on Charles’s cheek and whispered into his ear at a Buckingham Palace reception celebrating trust award winners.
At one point the King was left amazed when he took part in a magic trick performed by magician Dynamo, whose big break came after he was awarded a Prince’s Trust grant.
When Horner met the King she kissed him on both cheeks, hugged him and later told him “I’m so proud of you” and “you’re a very modern king”.
Geri also and also whispered something mysterious into his ear.
She later remained tight-lipped when asked what she said to the King, who was crowned on May 6, but said: “Everyone’s doing the best they can.
"No matter what position you are in we all need support and encouragement.
“I think the Prince’s Trust is testimony of that, and it works when we just lift each other up.”
She said about Charles: “I just think he’s a modern king, and when he was 28 years old he started the Prince’s Trust.
"He could have been out partying, instead he created this amazing organisation – a modern king that believed in investing in the potential and possibility of people.”
Charles invited those recognised during Tuesday’s Prince’s Trust awards to the palace along with the celebrities who presented the honours, including Hollywood star Stanley Tucci, and British actor Stephen Graham.
Also in attendance were Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, musician and producer Nile Rodgers and the event’s hosts Ant and Dec.
This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby left the show early to attend the palace event by herself, as reports continued of a rift with co-host and fellow Prince’s Trust ambassador Phillip Schofield.
Dressed in a light yellow dress for the occasion, Holly appeared to be fully focused on her duties as a trust ambassador when she arrived at the Palace and showed no sign of the drama surrounding herself and This Morning co-host Phil getting to her.
The This Morning star cut short her presenting duties on the ITV show short earlier today, leaving Phil hosting the daytime TV programme solo from around midday so Holly could get to Buckingham Palace in time for the event.
Chatting live on air, the pair bid each other farewell, with Holly telling Phil: "Be good, don't be naughty," before they embraced, woodenly, causing fans to wonder what was going on.
As the mum-of-three made her way inside the reception at Buckingham Palace, Holly reportedly refused to talk to press or answer any questions about her future on This Morning.
Royal reporter Richard Palmer said: " Holly Willoughby was among the showbiz stars meeting the King at a Buckingham Palace reception for The Prince’s Trust today.
"But the normally talkative This Morning host wouldn’t speak to the media and there was no sign of her co-host Phillip Schofield, also a trust ambassador."
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