King Charles affectionately mobbed in 'scrum' with New Zealand women's rugby team

11 September 2024, 23:34

The King found himself in the middle of a scrum when he accepted a hug from a New Zealand women's rugby player
The King found himself in the middle of a scrum when he accepted a hug from a New Zealand women's rugby player. Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

The King was affectionately mobbed by the New Zealand women's rugby team after accepting a hug from one of the players.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Charles said "hug, why not" before joking that it was like being in a "scrum" with the Black Ferns, who are in the UK to take on England's Red Roses.

Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga made the request before her team-mates all bundled in, leaving Charles amused during the Buckingham Palace reception.

Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga had made the cheeky request and her teammates joined in
Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga had made the cheeky request and her teammates joined in. Picture: Alamy
Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga had made the cheeky request and her teammates joined in
Winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga had made the cheeky request and her teammates joined in. Picture: Alamy

The King later made the squad laugh, when he said: "I much appreciated this chance to meet you and have such a warm hug from most of you," adding "very healing".

He said: "It was like being flattened by a scrum."

Read more: William reveals delight at 'good news' that Kate's chemotherapy has finished but 'there's a long way to go'

Read more: King Charles reacts to 'wonderful news' that Princess Kate has completed chemotherapy

The King later made the squad laugh during an impromptu speech
The King later made the squad laugh during an impromptu speech. Picture: Alamy

Details of Charles' first major tour since his cancer diagnosis were released on Tuesday, with the King travelling to Australia and making a state visit to Samoa for a Commonwealth leaders' summit.

But he offered his apologies that he will not take in New Zealand and said: "I'm extremely sorry I can't come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor's orders, but I hope there'll be another excuse (to come) before not too long."

The Black Ferns, in the UK to take on England's Red Roses
The Black Ferns, in the UK to take on England's Red Roses. Picture: Alamy

Despite champagne being on offer for Charles' guests, the sportswomen opted for fruit juice and water.

The King joked: "I'm so pleased to have this opportunity to greet you all, for a short moment - apparently not to be able to give you a drink."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Layton Carr died in the fire

Tributes pour in for boy killed in tragic Gateshead fire as 14 children arrested for manslaughter

University College London

University society says 'we can't sit back' after student's union suspends it over 'drone purchases for Ukraine'

Brooklyn was missing from the celebrations

Victoria shares snaps from David Beckham's star-studded 50th birthday bash amid 'feud' with Brooklyn

A woman has died after a collision in Rochdale.

Woman dies after car rams pedestrians in horror crash, with a child and three others injured

Jasmine has been missing since April 11

Police release new CCTV images as they continue desperate hunt for missing woman

A fireworks show after Lady Gaga's massive free concert at Copacabana Beach

Bomb attack thwarted at mass Lady Gaga concert on Rio de Janeiro beach, police say

Heavy duty machines remove debris after Yemen's Houthi group attack the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 04, 2025

Netanyahu vows revenge after Houthi missile strikes close to Israel's main airport

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson

Social media is a 'toxic tidal wave - and we're not doing enough to protect children', Duchess of York warns

Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small town in Wisconsin in 1962

Woman who vanished from home 63 years ago 'found alive and well' - and 'has no regrets'

Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois in Riyadh

Anthony Joshua reveals he needs surgery before he can return to the ring

A man poses holding a smartphone showing the App for ride-sharing service Uber

Uber to allow customers to pay in cash across most of UK

Exclusive
Dame Andrea Jenkyns with Nigel Farage

Reform's first mayor hails 'new dawn' under Farage - as she doubles down on calls to house migrants in tents

Vladimir Putin

Putin says he 'hopes he doesn't need to use nuclear weapons' and pledges to bring Ukraine war to 'logical end'

Chris Packham was diagnosed with autism in his mid-forties

Majority in Britain now 'self-identify' as neurodivergent - as expert warns of risks in diagnosing 'eccentric' personalities

Israeli emergency services clear a road outside Israel's Ben Gurion airport

Houthi missile strikes Israel, narrowly missing main airport and injuring four

Exclusive
Wes Streeting has said Lucy Powell was right to apologise for her grooming gangs comments

Labour minister 'right to apologise' for dismissing grooming gangs scandal as 'dog-whistle', Streeting says