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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Russell Myers & Chiara Fiorillo

King Charles meets Ryan Reynolds and is told Wrexham owner 'never heard' of Netflix doc

King Charles and the Queen Consort met Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they paid a visit to the football club owned by the stars this morning.

Their Majesties travelled to Wales and visited Wrexham AFC, which was bought by the actors last year.

Charles and Camilla met players and staff as well as the co-chairmen during a tour of the Racecourse Ground.

The actors said they had not watched the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's controversial Netflix show, which aired the day before the visit.

McElhenney, who stars in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, said: "I've never heard of it."

King Charles III and the Queen Consort met Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (PA)

Deadpool actor Reynolds and McElhenney joked they had had etiquette lessons ahead of the visit.

Ahead of the royal visit, Reynolds said: "I would say that we're impossibly excited to welcome him to the Racecourse ground, this historic church that resides in the heart of Wrexham and is the heart of Wrexham.

"Rob and I both said early on, and this holds true and for the rest of our lives, we will do anything to uplift and elevate this community and this club and having the King pay a visit is certainly one way to do it. That's for sure. Very excited."

King Charles III speaks with players at Wrexham Association Football Club's Racecourse Ground (PA)

The stars have chronicled their takeover of the club in the documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which was being filmed when the King and Camilla visited.

McElhenney said he thought the King must be a fan of the club, joking: "This is an incoming call. So we hope that he's a fan. If not, we'll make him a fan."

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney talk with King Charles III (PA)

Reynolds said he hoped to talk to the monarch about the work they were doing to improve the club and stadium as he explained: "I would love to tell him a little bit about what it is that we're hoping to achieve with the renovation of the Kop stand, and it's not even a renovation, I would say that it's a complete reimagining of the Kop stand, and what that will mean to not just the club, but the community of Wrexham as well."

Asked if he might offer them a gift of Aviation Gin, the company which he owns, Reynolds said: "I don't want to compete with the Royal gin now. That might create a conflict of interest."

The King and Queen Consort pose with players and staff during the visit (AFP via Getty Images)

The King and Camilla walked through the players' tunnel onto the pitch at the ground, where they met Reynolds, McElhenney and club executives and greeted players from the first team before posing for a picture.

The King was heard wishing players luck for their upcoming game on Saturday, while Camilla told another player: "It's an extraordinary story."

Camilla wore a printed silk dress and Russell and Bromley boots and wrapped up against the cold temperatures in a camel cashmere coat by Anna Valentine and a wide-brimmed fluffy hat.

The Hollywood actors bought the club in 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

They watched football demonstrations from the women and youth teams on the pitch.

The Royals also met staff from the club shop, administration team, coaches and medical staff and learned about the redevelopment of the club from strategic advisor to the board Shaun Harvey, as well as meeting contractors and architects involved in the project.

The King joked about the pitch to head groundsman Paul Chaloner, saying: "It is proper grass isn't it, not that plastic stuff?"

The club was taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Getty Images)

The King and Camilla went on to meet disabled liaison officer for Wrexham AFC, Kerry Evans, and participants of Powerchair football.

Ms Evans, 47, said: "It's very, very special, what an honour.

"The King and Camilla both said it's absolutely amazing the work we've been doing here.

The King travelled to Wales this morning (AFP via Getty Images)

"I never thought we'd have royalty at the club, now we've had Hollywood royalty and real royalty!"

Wrexham AFC was the first club in Wales to offer Powerchair football, a team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs.

The royal couple also met 97-year-old Wrexham fan Arthur Massey.

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