‘King Charles manically trying to rid his tiny desk of the pen tray is 100% going to be a meme’
King Charles III’s proclamation was a grand ceremony, but a rather minor detail caught everyone’s attention.
It involved a pen tray and it’s gone viral.
A “priceless moment” and a “highlight” of the day.
After being formally proclaimed the nation’s new sovereign, King Charles held his first Privy Council meeting, where he sat to sign official declarations.
The historic moment was somewhat overshadowed by the way Charles’ desk had been fitted out, with the new Monarch not having enough wiggle room to sign the oversized documents in front of him.
After signing one, the King moved to his next task, only to find a pesky pen tray was in his way.
He was then seen grimacing in frustration to staff out of shot.
A mysterious hand then appeared to swiftly and silently remove the pen tray from the desk.
King Charles is just so DONE with that pen tray, leaving William hunting for one. Priceless moment in the #proclamation pic.twitter.com/z2gEXSqqe1
— Natalie Tambini (@NatalieTambini) September 10, 2022
I hereby humbly present my offering of this solemn GIF to His Majesty The King, the Nation and the Commonwealth.
pic.twitter.com/CqkaF5IDSm
— Ciarán Norris (@ciarannorris) September 10, 2022
Then the tray was needed again, by Prince William who took his seat to sign the declaration.
He then motioned to the staff to return it.
The whole exchange did not go unnoticed by those watching at home, with one tweeting: “Did Charles just get angry with a plastic pen holder while the world watched him sign his proclamation declaration? Poor William had to ask for it back when he signed?! #KingCharlesIII just like his dad! Love it!”
Someone else said: “Charles’ brief fury at the pen tray is definitely the highlight of this for me. #Proclamation.”
A third commented: “King Charles is just so DONE with that pen tray, leaving William hunting for one. Priceless moment in the #proclamation.” Another added: “Charles getting s****y about that pen tray being in the way of the oath he had to sign just makes him more relatable imo.”
https://twitter.com/clopidogally/status/1568532482311557124
I can’t be the only one fascinated by the pen/inkwell situation today. Charles annoyed at them, making grimaces at the staff to deal with them. William gracefully helping tidy and arrange them. I find those gestures more telling of their characters than anything in the ceremony.
— Dr Robyne Calvert (@robyneerica) September 10, 2022
They should of rehearsed for this proclamation King Charles wasn’t impressed with that pen holder thing being in his way
— Claire
(@Claire_Ginty) September 10, 2022
Why did Charles make such a weird gesture for them to remove his pen case, could he not just pass it and say 'could you remove this please?!' Lifetime of servants does that to you I guess.
— Katy | Family Finance & Food Blogger (She/Her) (@Katykicker) September 10, 2022
I know it’s only just happened, but King Charles manically trying to rid his tiny desk of the pen tray is 100% going to be a meme.
— Ciarán Norris (@ciarannorris) September 10, 2022
Others joked that William was left high and dry with stationery was dear dad had “pocketed” it after doing his bit.
“I never thought I’d relate to royalty, until I saw King Charles III pocket that pen,” one joked.
Earlier in the proceedings, the new King declared the Queen’s funeral would be a bank holiday and told the Privy Council that the “whole world sympathises with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered”.
He then went on to pay tribute to the Queen’s diligent service and recognised the “duties” he must now carry out.
“To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.
“My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life. My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.”
Related links:
- Day of Queen’s funeral will be a bank holiday
- Charles ‘told Prince Harry not to bring Meghan Markle to Balmoral to see dying Queen’
- King Charles III addresses the nation for the first time as monarch
- What will happen to the UK currency now the Queen is dead?
- British national anthem set to change after Queen’s death
