The thrifty King has long eschewed fashion trends, preferring instead to don well-worn favourites that have stood the test of time.
But while he is determined to be seen as a frugal monarch, royal aides might be advised that His Majesty needs a new pair of socks. The King revealed what appeared to be a hole in his sock during a visit to a historic mosque on Brick Lane, east London. The small hole in the black sock on his right foot was visible as he took off his shoes to adhere to custom.
The King and Queen were greeted by huge crowds as they made their way down Brick Lane, the symbolic face of London’s Bangladeshi community. More than a thousand well-wishers lined the route as the couple followed a group of dancers scattering flower petals in their path. During an occasionally chaotic visit, the King planted a tree and was given a box of jalebi and Bengali samosas by a local restaurant, promising to try some later.
Any hopes of quenching his thirst were dashed, however, when after being offered a cup of tea in the crowded Graam Bangla Restaurant the monarch only got as far as putting sugar in the cup before it was whisked away on the advice of his police protection officers for fear that it was about to get spilt. The King was praised for his willingness to listen to multicultural Britain. After the tree planting, the royal couple were driven the short distance to Brick Lane where Camilla was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Ayah Hussain, three.
The only note of dissent came from a white man waving a black flag and a card with the legend “No [heart] for a nation.” He said it meant “no love for a nation”. Asked who he represented, he said, “I represent people who did not vote for him.”
