Upbeat Charles shows off his dance moves as he welcomes Grace Jones & ex-rugby star at glitzy Commonwealth reception
AN UPBEAT King Charles showed off his dance moves during a Commonwealth reception last night.
The monarch, 75, was given a lesson in Samoan dancing ahead of his trip to the Pacific Island nation.
Ex-pro rugby player Freddie Tuilagi, 53, held at a hand and asked Charles to dance with him during the bash at St James’ Palace.
The King put down his drink and was all smiles as he held out his arms and mimicked his teacher’s fluttering hands.
Mr Tuilagi, an honorary consul with the Samoan High Commission, also gave the monarch a ceremonial fly swat.
Stripped down to his waist, the rugby star afterwards, said: “The King is going to Samoa and so we gave him a bit of a taste of Samoa man, dancing, man.
“I said to King I’m going to do it for you when you get to Samoa you experience it.”
“He said he loved it, he loved it.
“They were good moves, he had good moves.”
The King was joined by Queen Camilla, as well as Sophie The Duchess of Edinburgh and The Duke of Kent.
Later this month, he will head to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Among the 375 guests at the palace were Jamaican-born singer Grace Jones, 76, South African Strictly judge Motse Mabuse, 43, and Aussie judge Craig Revell Horwood, 59.
Foreign Sectary David Lammy was also at the bash.
Grace Jones said: “I have met them a few times, ever since James Bond.”
The singer and actress played Bond Girl May Day in 1985 movie A View to a Kill.
She added: “I also did the hula hoop for the Queen at the Jubilee. So we have a history.
“Being Jamaica man I believe that the Commonwealth has positives. It’s a very good thing that brings people together in a positive way.”
England rugby player Joe Cokanasiga gave the King a traditional greeting kneeling and clapping three times.
He said afterwards: “I am originally from Fiji and it’s a sign of respect to the heads of state.
“I have been practicing that. He definitely knew I was from Fiji after I did it as he experienced it before.
“The Commonwealth is important and I wouldn’t have been here because my dad joined the army he moved here. It gives people a lot of opportunities.”
Craig Revel Horwood said: “It was the first time I have called her Her Majesty I made a big point of calling her Her Majesty.
Motsi said: “It’s an honour to be involved.”
Speaking about the upcoming Australia tour, Craig added: “They are going to receive an amazing reception.”
“I think it’s really wonderful to have them as Heads of State. For a lot of people, like my mum, they love them.”
Craig recalled last year’s Strictly when the Princess of Wales turned up with her three children to watch.
He said: “It was really nice seeing her so relaxed. It was so exciting.”
Craig had told the King that he was bringing out an album.
And said afterwards: “I think he would prefer to listen to an album that Strictly. The Queen loves Strictly, not sure the King is such a fan.
“I know the Queen absolutely adores it.”
Also present were Commonwealth High Commissioners and representatives and supporters of The King’s Trust International and the British Asian Trust, The Wow Foundation and The Queen’s Reading Room.
Throughout the reception a String Quartet from the Australian Music Foundation, of which the King is Patron, performed.