King Charles surprised royal fans on Wednesday as he rolled up his sleeves and took part in a community litter pick along the beach in Deal, Kent.
Wearing a beige suit, white shirt and tie, the 76-year-old monarch was photographed collecting rubbish along the shoreline. Despite the heat, the King remained cheerful and engaged with volunteers throughout the visit.
A hands-on moment during the UK heatwave
© GettyThe King joined a group of volunteers who had gathered to take part in a local beach clean-up. While he mostly used a litter picker, Charles was seen bending down to pick up plastic bottles and wrappers with his hands.
He also wore dark sunglasses to protect against the summer glare, prompting one onlooker to label him "King Cool".
Photos of the unexpected moment soon went viral on social media.
One fan wrote on X: "This is brilliant. No fuss, no drama. Just a King doing his bit."
Another said: "He’s leading by example. You love to see it."
A community welcome in Deal
© GettyThe beach visit was one of several engagements in Kent on Wednesday.
King Charles also visited the Walmer lifeboat station where he met four RNLI volunteers: Andrew Holland, Victoria Ward, Dan Sinclair and James Foster.
The four were recently awarded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Thanks of the Institution award for their courage and dedication in saving lives at sea.
Charles spent time talking to the crew and learning more about their experiences.
He thanked them personally and praised their service, saying: "You are a credit to your communities and to this country."
Historic visit to Walmer Castle
© GettyLater in the day, the King took a private tour of Walmer Castle, the historic coastal fortress originally built by Henry VIII.
The castle was designed to defend England from a potential invasion by Catholic Europe in the 16th century.
Today, it stands as a reminder of Tudor-era military innovation and has long been associated with the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a position historically held by members of the Royal Family.
A busy week for the monarch
© GettyThe visit to Kent came just days after a high-profile state occasion at Buckingham Palace.
Earlier in the week, King Charles hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte for a formal visit to the UK.
The state visit included ceremonial welcomes, private meetings, and a banquet at the Palace. It marked an important moment in Franco-British relations following recent political shifts in both countries.
Despite the busy schedule, Charles showed no signs of slowing down.
Commitment to the environment
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe King has long been an advocate for sustainability and environmental protection. His participation in the clean-up is seen by many as a continuation of his lifelong environmental campaigning.
In the past, Charles has spoken about his concerns over plastic pollution and rising global temperatures.
He launched the Sustainable Markets Initiative in 2020 to encourage businesses to take greater responsibility for their environmental impact.
His actions this week echo the themes he has championed for decades.
Speaking to local media during the beach clean-up, one volunteer said: "It was really moving to see him here. He didn’t just turn up for a photo, he really got stuck in."
Looking ahead
© Getty ImagesAs the summer continues, the monarch is expected to spend some time at Balmoral in Scotland, where he traditionally retreats for a private holiday in August.
Public engagements will resume in early autumn, with several high-profile royal appearances expected to follow.
