Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Digital Cover royalty

King Charles' special nod to grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis on first royal outing didn't go unnoticed

The King and Queen met with cancer patients during a hospital visit on Tuesday

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
1 May 2024
Share this:

King Charles delighted royal watchers when he resumed public-facing duties alongside his wife Queen Camilla on Tuesday. 

The royal couple visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre where they spoke to medical specialists and patients. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla walking© Getty
King Charles has resumed public-facing duties

The outing marked the first in a number of many external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead after confirming the positive effect of his cancer treatment. 

When marking this big milestone, the King appeared to pay a subtle nod to his grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis by wearing his favourite pink silk tie. 

The King© Getty
The King's tie features light blue dinosaurs

The charming accessory was decorated with a herd of light blue dinosaurs, a print that was most likely chosen by his grandchildren. The tie is believed to have been given to him by a member of his family as a coded play on his new title: Charles III Rex, or C-Rex.

According to Robert Hardman, the royal author revealed in his latest book, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, that the King's "capacity for gloomy introspection" appears to have lifted in recent months and that his mood is "unquestionably more cheerful these days".

A closer look at King Charles' special tie, thought to be a present from his grandchildren© Getty
A closer look at King Charles' special tie, thought to be a present from his grandchildren

"The new mood has even permeated his wardrobe," the author wrote. "Finding gifts for the man who really does have everything might be tricky, but, since his accession, his family have given the King several new ties. 

"A particular favourite, seen on numerous occasions, from church at Sandringham to a walkabout in Manchester, is of pale pink silk with a light blue tyrannosaurus rex pattern printed all over it.

Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George© Getty
Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George share a close bond with their grandfather King Charles

"Is the T-Rex motif a humorous, coded play on C-Rex? 'I couldn't possibly comment,' says one of his team with a grin, suggesting strongly that it might be. Like his mother, who thoroughly enjoyed being Queen, even during some very dark days, Charles III is, simply, very happy being monarch." 

It's no secret that the King's eldest grandchildren are fans of dinosaurs. Prince William previously revealed that Prince George's love for all things prehistoric was inspired by his exchange with David Attenborough. 

WATCH: King Charles undertakes first public-facing royal engagement since cancer diagnosis

"He was brilliant with the children when he met them," Prince William told the BBC at the time. "He brought out his fossil collection and showed the children that, which, I think, George at the time absolutely adored - he's got loads of dinosaur fossils." 

Prince Louis also has a particular penchant for dinosaurs, and when he was four, the young royal enjoyed a fun day out with his Nanny, Maria Borrallo, at the Natural History Museum. One of the museum's most popular exhibits is a large animatronic T.Rex, which may have inspired King Charles' tie.

LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!

Princess Kate wearing black and white polka dots and a hat

If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…

What is it?

Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal Inner Circle.

Member benefits

  • Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
  • Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
  • Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
  • Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
  • Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
  • Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
  • Invitations to in-person and virtual events
  • A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
  • Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits

By royal decree

You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Royalty

See more