King Charles: Visiting Advent service in London

King Charles (76) attended an Advent service in London on December 17th. Pictures show the British monarch with a sheet of music in the first pew of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, also known as the Farm Street Church.

In other photos, Charles – wearing a light gray pinstripe suit and black wool coat – can be seen in good spirits shaking several hands, including those of a veteran and the Archbishop of Westminster. At the priest’s side, he finally waved cheerfully to the crowd as he left the church.

The service was particularly designed to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the invasion of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, as well as to highlight the church’s efforts to help Christian displaced people of all kinds. Therefore, following the half-hour service, King Charles met with representatives from selected church groups in a side chapel.

This included Sister Annie Demerjian from the Syrian Catholic Church. “It was an honor to meet His Majesty again. He is the most humble man I have met in my life,” she said, describing her encounter with the monarch. As a token of her appreciation, she presented Charles with a stick of honey from her homeland.

The king was also allowed to receive other early Christmas presents. An Iraqi refugee presented him with a self-made oil painting, which Charles described as “extraordinary.” Beaming, he received a work of art made on garbage bags from a local artist.

King Charles attended the service without his wife Camilla (77). She has reduced her public appearances in the run-up to Christmas as she is still recovering from pneumonia.