The King appeared in high spirits as he attended a special gala at the Royal Opera House to celebrate outgoing musical director Sir Antonio Pappano.
It’s been a busy time for King Charles, who held his fifth engagement in 48 hours yesterday (a star-studded garden party at Buckingham Palace), and the monarch shows no signs of slowing down.
Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, is delighted that his doctors have given him permission to return to further public engagements.
Her Majesty, 75, became a patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a great admirer of the arts, so it is no surprise that she was in her element enjoying such a moving tribute to one of the world’s greatest composers. respected in the country.
The special gala performance, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s 22-year tenure as musical director, featured renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as the Royal Opera Choir and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera. Home.
King Charles shakes hands with Sir Antonio Pappano. The King appeared in high spirits as he attended a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House.
The singers and orchestra performed the arias and music that defined Sir Antonio’s time as musical director, throughout his 22-year career.
After tonight’s show, King Charles met with the man of the hour, Sir Antonio, as well as the principal 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, was made a 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 Her Majesty to take part in the musical performances that will embrace the historic occasion of her Coronation.
“His Majesty has chosen a beautiful and varied program that I believe will enhance the splendor of this very special celebration.”
In addition to his love of opera, King Charles is also a ballet fan and has been president of the Royal Ballet since 2003.
The palace announced last week that Her Majesty will retain patronage of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Opera, as well as taking over the long-standing patronage of the Royal Ballet from her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Oliver Mears, director of the Royal Opera, said opera cable He called the fact that the King retained his patronage a “great honour”.
He said: ‘It is a great 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 delighted that Her Majesty will continue her generous support of our world-class company.”
King Charles walks alongside Antonio Pappano this afternoon at the Royal Opera House in London
King Charles meets the cast of a special gala on the day of the event celebrating Antonio Pappano’s 22 years as musical director at the Royal Opera House
Her Majesty, 75, became a patron of the Royal Opera House in 2009 and is a great admirer of the arts, so it is no surprise that she was in her element enjoying such a moving tribute to one of the world’s most famous composers. respected in the country.
The special gala performance, celebrating Sir Antonio Pappano’s 22-year tenure as musical director, featured renowned opera singers such as Aigul Akhmetshina, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel, as well as the Royal Opera Choir and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera. Home
Royal Opera chief executive Alex Beard added: “For more than six decades we have benefited from the dedicated support of the Royal Family and we are extremely grateful to Her Majesty for continuing to recognize the work we do to deliver a class ballet 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 performed in aid of NHS workers.
The performance was presented by legendary ballet dancer Darcey Bussell and BBC presenter Petroc Trelawny, and the show was broadcast as a live cinema broadcast in 1,000 cinemas across the UK and around the world.
Buckingham Palace released a statement about the outing, saying: “The Queen shares Her Majesty’s love of ballet and, as Duchess of Cornwall, became Patron of 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 be if he behaved.”
After tonight’s show, King Charles met with the man of the hour, Sir Antonio, as well as the principal artists and orchestra musicians to congratulate them on the performance.
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.
The King took part in five major events in 48 hours earlier this week alone, with his wife revealing that he was “quite upset that he couldn’t be there” but had been “dragged into more menial tasks”.
I was visiting Lamb House, home of author EF Benson, on a day of literary-themed engagements in Sussex.
The Queen has made no secret of her frustration that her husband is working too much, but sources say she understands and accepts his prodigious work ethic.
The King had been tirelessly carrying out 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 the Mail previously revealed.
It comes after reality TV presenter Maya Jama attempted to recruit a new fan when she asked the King if he watched Love Island during a Buckingham Palace garden party 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 garden on Wednesday.
Jama, 29, introduced herself as a TV presenter and said: ‘I’m a presenter on Love Island. I don’t know if you’ve seen it? It’s a reality dating show.’ Laughing, the King jokingly responded: “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 filmmaker Louis Theroux, Hollywood director Sir Ridley Scott and artist Tracey Emin.
Approximately 4,000 representatives from the world of culture, art, heritage, film, television, radio and fashion attended.
Carlos, dressed in a gray suit, pink vest and top hat, smiled at the gathered crowd as he entered the garden from the palace.
Camilla wore a pale pink fringed wrap dress by Anna Valentine with a matching Philip Treacy hat and accessorized her outfit with a pink diamond flower brooch from the late Queen.
The royal couple stood at the top of the garden stairs to watch the national anthem before the crowd applauded. Charles and Camilla then separately greeted the groups of attendees.
The King has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February but has returned to his public duties, including holding his first investiture ceremony in five months at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.