Prince Charles had a warm welcome as he arrived at high street store T.K.Maxx in London yesterday – particularly from one royal fan.
The Prince of Wales, 71, was greeted by well-wishers who lined the streets before he strolled into the bargain shop on Tooting High Street to meet with Prince’s Trust alumni.
But one lady who couldn’t contain her excitement after meeting Prince Charles, reached her hand out before gently placing it on his right cheek.
While there is no official protocol on touching members of the royal family, tradition dictates that a curtsy or bow is appropriate, while shaking hands is also acceptable.
Prince Charles, 71, was greeted by an excited fan who reached out to place a hand on his cheek as he arrived at high street store T.K.Maxx in London yesterday (pictured)
The royal was then seen walking through discounted rails of clothing while he was given a tour of the shop floor (pictured)
Despite the close contact, the royal appeared in high spirits and continued to engage in conversation with the superfan, and would no doubt have taken the touch to his face in his stride.
Following the encounter, Prince Charles could be seen walking through discounted rails of clothing while he was given a tour of the shop floor.
He went on to meet with shop workers who had been helped into employment by the Prince’s Trust, before joining them for discussions about life as a young Londoner today.
The royal was greeted by Dame Martina Milburn, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust Group, as well as Louise Greenlees, who is the President of TJX Europe.
Prince Charles appeared in good spirits as he visited Tooting High Street yesterday to meet with T.K.Maxx employees
The royal could be seen beaming while meeting employees at the store who had participated in a TK Maxx Get into Retail programme with The Princes Trust
Later, the Prince of Wales remained in high spirits despite being mobbed as he departed the TK Maxx Tooting store in London
Despite being mobbed by fans outside the T.K.Maxx store, Prince Charles was all smiles and looked happy to engage in conversation
The royal went on to meet with employees at the store who had been helped through the Get Into Retail programme, which is a partnership of T K Maxx and the Prince’s Trust.
He appeared engaged as he chatted and joked with employees on the shop floor.
ROYAL PROTOCOL: WHY DO ETIQUETTE RULES STILL EXIST?
For visiting dignitaries, royal protocol can be a disaster waiting to happen.
A complicated system of rules that have evolved over hundreds of years, the basic premise is that a respectful distance should be kept between royals and their people.
Touchy-feely: Michelle Obama caused a stir when she put her arm around the Queen – and it was reciprocated – on a US presidential visit to the UK in 2009
Try telling that to Michelle Obama though; the former First Lady embraced the Queen during a US presidential visit to the UK in 2009, swiftly creating the day’s newspaper headlines.
And the Australians have a terrible track record, with former Prime Minister Paul Keating dubbed ‘the Lizard of Oz’ when he put his arm around the Queen in 1992.
The uninitiated could spend several weeks studying the rules of who can speak first, where to stand, what you may call them and even where your gaze can fall. If in doubt, play it safe.
Prince Charles went on to move upstairs and joined a discussion with the young people to hear about life as a young Londoner today.
They also discussed the challenges they face in order to gain stable employment
The Prince’s Trust gives disadvantaged young people the skills and confidence to find a job.
A small crowd could be seen gathering as they attempted to catch a glimpse of the royal as he strolled through Tooting
The royal beamed as he visited the high street store earlier today where he met with Prince’s Trust alumni
Prince Charles strolled past rails of discount clothing as he was given a tour as part of his visit to the store
The charity has helped 870,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day. Three in four of these young people move into work, training or education.
T K Maxx and it’s sister store Homesense have been supporting The Prince’s Trust since 2013 through the Get into Retail and Achieve programmes.
The Get Into retail programme has helped over 1000 young people, with 70 per cent going on to get jobs with them.
It offers a four week course which develops young people’s skills in the retail sector and supports them into positive outcomes in retail.
It comes after a busy few weeks for Prince Charles, having travelled to Austria and Bethlehem for events in January.
Last week, he made a visit to the University of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory, where he learned about work to develop environmentally friendly planes.
The royal appeared to browse the bargain store during his visit to Tooting high street yesterday afternoon
He donned a smart blue checked suit for the visit along with a striped shirt and a blue and white polka-dot tie
The royal walked through rails of discounted clothing during his tour of the shop floor yesterday
Prince Charles chatted with mentors and young people who had taken part in the Prince’s Trust programme
The royal appeared engaged as he chatted with employees at the store who had taken part in a Prince’s Trust programme
The royal could be seen beaming as he met with young people who had been helped by the Price’s Trust
The Prince of Wales was photographed shaking hands with a man while visiting the store in London