King Charles Surprises Sold-Out Crowd With Backstage Enthusiasm at The Tempest

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Royals (1 / 1) 24.05.2026 11:01 / Simo

In a charming twist, King Charles popped into Stratford-upon-Avon to catch a sold-out performance of The Tempest and then wandered backstage, delighting the company. Read on to discover the full story!

Royal audience, intimate arrival

The 77-year-old monarch slipped into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre just moments before the curtain rose on May 22, 2026. He watched the performance, laughed during the show and stood to applaud at the end, later congratulating cast and crew in person.

Curious about costumes

During intermission he was offered a drink and was taken on a tour of the theatre’s costume department. He admired a replica crown, handled the fabric of a dress worn by Dame Judi Dench in 2003 and paused over a costume from Sir Antony Sher’s 1984 Richard III — small moments that revealed a genuine interest in the craft.