King Charles III made a rare public appearance without his shoes during a visit to Cambridge Central Mosque, removing them as a mark of respect before entering the prayer hall. Wearing grey knitted socks, the 77-year-old monarch joked with schoolchildren, saying he hoped he had not "ruined the holidays too much" by bringing them to the event.
After putting his shoes back on, Charles unveiled a plaque celebrating the 75th anniversary of Cambridge receiving city status from King George VI and was presented with a book about the mosque. Earlier that day, he had accepted Sir Keir Starmer's resignation and invited Andy Burnham to form a government.
Although members of the Royal Family rarely remove their shoes in public, they often do so when visiting places of worship as a sign of respect. The Princess of Wales also went barefoot during a visit to a Hindu temple earlier this year.
The visit also recalled a 2023 trip to Brick Lane Mosque, when a small hole in the King's sock drew attention on social media. Many people reacted positively, calling the moment relatable and praising his modesty.
During his speech, Charles praised the mosque's architecture and its role in bringing together the Muslim community and the wider city of Cambridge. He also expressed hope that its work promoting cooperation between different faiths would continue.
Later, the King officially opened Cambridge's new Whittle Laboratory, a research centre focused on net-zero aviation and energy innovation. Queen Camilla did not accompany him, as she was visiting a homelessness charity in Norfolk.
