King Charles catches up with British sporting hero during US State Visit

Svar Nanan-Sen
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:15:42 +0000

King Charles rounded off the opening day of his highly anticipated US State Visit with an unexpected conversation about knitting with former Olympic diver Tom Daley at a Washington garden party on Monday.

The 31-year-old retired athlete, who now resides in Los Angeles with his husband and their two children, flew in specifically for the event.

Mr Daley described knitting as his creative outlet and form of meditation, revealing that the monarch has attempted the craft on multiple occasions.

"He said he tried knitting when he was eight and he wasn't very good but he said he might pick it back up, he knows it's very good for mental health," Daley explained.

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The former Olympian expressed hopes that King Charles might support his campaign to reintroduce knitting to school curricula.

The garden party attracted a distinguished guest list spanning politics and sports, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ted Cruz, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and current Speaker Mike Johnson all in attendance.

Guy Pelly, a longtime friend of Prince William from their school days, was also in attendance.

Lioness Esme Morgan, the European title-winning footballer who currently plays for Washington Spirit, also attended the occasion.

Queen Camilla admitted to feeling "quite jet lagged" when greeting organisers of a time capsule commemorating America's 250th independence anniversary celebrations this year.

The royal couple viewed some of the capsule's contents before the party commenced.

Camilla also spent time speaking with prominent figures from domestic abuse charities during the reception.

The King is set to address both houses of Congress on Tuesday, where he will characterise the relationship between Britain and America since independence as among the most significant partnerships in history.

His speech will emphasise how the two nations consistently find common ground despite differences.

The address is expected to be interpreted as a recognition of the current friction between President Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer, who have been at odds over the American leader's military action against Iran.

King Charles will stress that upholding shared principles remains essential for protecting liberty and equality.

The monarch will also highlight the importance of the rule of law, which underpins both countries' democratic heritage and their mutual economic success.