King Charles reportedly admitted that one specific duty keeps catching him off guard during a visit to Aberdeen, Scotland. Charles is back to a packed royal schedule after his summer break at Balmoral. He was in Aberdeen to open the new headquarters of Great British Energy, a cause tied to his longtime support for clean energy initiatives. While there, he was asked to unveil an unusual paddle-style plaque marking the occasion.
King Charles reportedly claims he finds unveiling plaques ‘slightly hazardous’
King Charles admitted he has ‘a track record’ with plaque mishaps, per report. Charles reportedly didn’t hold back about his history with these ceremonial moments. He said unveiling plaques can be “a slightly hazardous occasion.” Charles added that he’s learned this the hard way more than once over the years. Luckily, the plaque in Aberdeen came away from the encounter unscathed.
Charles has apparently had a rough stretch when it comes to plaque unveilings this year. Earlier this month, he reportedly sent a plaque tumbling onto the grass during the Victoria League’s 125th Anniversary Garden Party. In March, he accidentally knocked over a wooden plaque while visiting solar company Oxford Photovoltaics. He laughed the moment off at the time, calling it a “disaster.”
Despite the mishaps, Charles has kept a good sense of humor about the whole thing. Also, his latest comment in Aberdeen suggests he’s well aware of his own track record by now.
Interestingly, not every royal dreads the task the way Charles apparently does. Prince Edward reportedly has the opposite reputation, known for turning plaque unveilings into a bit of a performance. He’s known for cracking jokes and using exaggerated hand gestures whenever he’s handed the job. This contrast has made his moments in the spotlight go viral in the past.
While Edward treats the task as an opportunity for a bit of theater, Charles’s comments suggest he’s a bit more cautious about it these days. Given his run of mishaps this year, that caution reportedly hasn’t been unfounded.
