King Charles shared a friendly handshake with West Indies cricket players as the monarch hosted the team at Buckingham Palace at the weekend, GB News reports.
The King took part in a “duel” with two brothers drafted into the West Indies team, Mikyle and Jeremiah Louis, after being taught some Caribbean gestures. It turned out the monarch enjoyed meeting the team so much on Saturday that he didn’t know who to cheer for ahead of West Indies’ first Test match against England on Wednesday.
Team captain Kraigg Brathwaite recounted his conversation with the King:
He said he would probably be supporting the West Indies and we’re very grateful.
The 75-year-old expressed his heartfelt condolences to the team after Hurricane Beryl caused devastation in the Caribbean. His Majesty asked the players how their families back home were doing and if they had all been in touch.
Brathwaite added:
It was great to meet the King. I told him that the hurricane devastated the islands and caused a great deal of damage and now we’ve got even more to play for to make West Indians proud. I said that we want to bring some joy back and put a smile on their face. We want to give people something to cheer for. It’s the least we can do.
The King also expressed his aspirations of having more young people playing cricket in England. Seam bowler, Jeremiah Louis said:
The King wished us good luck and I hope we put on a good show for the young people. He told me he would like to see more youngsters playing cricket in England.
Charles thanked the team when he was presented with a West Indies national team jersey signed by the players. He joked, touching his back, that he was too old to wear that jersey in competition.
Pointing to the framed shirt, he laughed:
Break glass in emergency. I’m very touched. I don’t think I deserve this at all.
Braithwaite said:
The history between the two teams goes way back and to be here, playing England, is great. I told His Majesty we were looking forward to the series. I never thought I’d meet the King and it’s good to be here talking to him.
