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9 times King Charles showed off his sense of humor

Talia Lakritz   

9 times King Charles showed off his sense of humor
King Charles III has been known to display a sense of humor while carrying out royal duties.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool /Getty Images
  • King Charles III has been known to participate in comedy sketches and crack jokes during speeches.
  • He delivered the weather report while visiting BBC Scotland's studio in 2012.

As a reigning monarch, King Charles III holds court at solemn royal affairs and gives important speeches, but he's also been known to participate in comedy sketches and crack jokes during royal engagements.

Here are nine times he showed off his sense of humor.

At a 1998 Prince's Trust gala for his 50th birthday, Prince Charles (now King Charles III) played a waiter in a sketch with Stephen Fry and Roger Moore.

At a 1998 Prince
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) at the Prince's Trust Comedy Gala at the Lyceum Theatre in London.      John Stillwell - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

In the sketch, a series of celebrity lookalikes brought food to Fry and Moore's table, BBC reported. Then, the real Charles emerged with a towel draped over his arm, asking if the food had been to their satisfaction.

"I know who he is supposed to be, but he needs to work on the voice a little," Moore said in the sketch.

Shutterstock royal photographer Tim Rooke captured the then-prince's wardrobe malfunction involving a rastacap on a visit to Jamaica in 2000.

Shutterstock royal photographer Tim Rooke captured the then-prince
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) visits the Trenchtown Community Center in Jamaica with Rita Marley, the late Bob Marley's wife.      Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Charles met Rita Marley, the wife of the late Bob Marley, in Kingston, Jamaica. When he was gifted a rastacap, he accidentally put it on backwards, which Rooke told Business Insider "tickled most of those around."

At a Prince's Trust concert in 2006, Charles joked that he wished that he could sing, much to his son William's horror.

At a Prince
King Charles (then Prince of Wales), Queen Camilla, (then Duchess of Cornwall), Prince William, and Prince Harry onstage during the Prince's Trust concert at the Tower of London in 2006.      Tom Shaw/Getty Images for The Prince's Trust

"I must say that this is the moment when I wish I could sing," Charles said. As the crowd applauded, egging him on, William shook his head and gestured "no" behind him.

Charles continued, "I know my limitations. But at least I have my glow stick."

Charles tried his hand at being a meteorologist while visiting BBC Scotland in 2012.

Charles tried his hand at being a meteorologist while visiting BBC Scotland in 2012.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) delivers the BBC weather forecast.      BBC

Charles visited BBC Scotland to mark 60 years of the network's news coverage.

"Who the hell wrote this script?" Charles quipped while reporting snow over the royal residence of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.

At the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Concert honoring Queen Elizabeth, Charles began his remarks by saying, "Your Majesty, mummy."

At the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Concert honoring Queen Elizabeth, Charles began his remarks by saying, "Your Majesty, mummy."
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) kisses the hand of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during The Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace.      Rota/ Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

The concert featured performances from artists including Queen, Elton John, and Diana Ross to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70th anniversary on the throne.

Charles acknowledged the Queen's "lifetime of selfless service," and said that the people watching at home are what "gets my mother up in the morning."

"You laugh and cry with us, and, most importantly, you have been there for us for these 70 years," he said.

Charles voiced a Dalek, an evil alien species in "Doctor Who," while visiting the set of the television show in 2013.

Charles voiced a Dalek, an evil alien species in "Doctor Who," while visiting the set of the television show in 2013.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) is pictured saying "Exterminate" while visiting the set of "Doctor Who."      Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images

"Exterminate! Exterminate!" Charles said into the microphone at BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, Wales.

After the chairman of the British Sub-Aqua Club described Charles as "rather buff" in a photo from the 1970s, Charles joked that Prince William was displaying his own "buff credentials" as its new president.

After the chairman of the British Sub-Aqua Club described Charles as "rather buff" in a photo from the 1970s, Charles joked that Prince William was displaying his own "buff credentials" as its new president.
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) speaks at the British Sub-Aqua Club.      Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In 2014, William took over his father's position as president of the British Sub-Aqua Club. At the welcome reception, BSAC Eugene Farrell said in his speech that he'd heard Charles described as "rather buff" in a photo taken at the club in the 1970s.

Charles didn't appear to understand what the word "buff" meant.

"You should be pleased," William explained.

In his own speech, Charles took the opportunity to embarrass his son.

"I do hope that the club will go from strength to strength under its new and enthusiastic management, and I know that my oldest will now demonstrate his buff credentials," he said, prompting a facepalm from William.

Charles took part in a comedy sketch at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2016, settling an argument about how to deliver Hamlet's famous soliloquy.

Charles took part in a comedy sketch at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2016, settling an argument about how to deliver Hamlet
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) performs alongside Dame Judi Dench, Tim Minchin, Harriet Walter, David Tennant, Paapa Essiedu, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Kinnear, and Sir Ian McKellen on stage as part of a special production of Shakespeare Live! from the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2016.      Tristan Fewings - WPA Pool/Getty Images

To mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, an all-star lineup of actors performed a comedy sketch at the Royal Shakespeare Company, which aired on PBS, debating how to deliver Hamlet's famous line: "To be or not to be, that is the question."

Dame Judi Dench, Tim Minchin, Harriet Walter, David Tennant, Paapa Essiedu, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Kinnear, and Sir Ian McKellen each took a turn emphasizing different parts of the line. As president of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Charles had the final say.

"To be or not to be, that is the question," he said.

Charles wore a dinosaur tie to a church service near Sandringham Estate in 2023.

Charles wore a dinosaur tie to a church service near Sandringham Estate in 2023.
King Charles attends a service at the church of St Lawrence, Castle Rising, while wearing a dinosaur tie.      Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Charles attended a service at the church of St Lawrence, Castle Rising in King's Lynn while wearing a pink tie printed with powder-blue dinosaurs. He paired the whimsical piece with a checkered shirt and tan coat.

The T-rex print may have been a cheeky reference to the title "rex," which is Latin for "king," which appears on his official monogram as the initials "CR."

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