King Charles welcomes West Indies cricket team to Buckingham Palace

In a special event at Buckingham Palace, King Charles hosted the West Indies cricket team ahead of their first Test match against England at Lord's Cricket Ground. 

The meeting provided an opportunity for the players to interact with the Monarch and discuss various topics, including the recent impact of Hurricane Beryl on the Caribbean Islands.

King Charles engaged warmly with each player, showing a keen interest in their well-being and the situation back home. During the gathering, the King also learned a new handshake from one of the players, which involved a five-step process, including a high-five and placing a hand on the chest. The King humorously commented on the complexity of the handshake, saying, "That really is complicated."

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed his gratitude to King Charles for the warm welcome. He also made a light-hearted remark about following the King's horses, adding a touch of humor to the event. Speaking after the interaction, Brathwaite emphasized the significance of the upcoming matches against England.

"We were honored to be invited, and it was a great opportunity for the whole team to be here," Brathwaite said. 

"Hurricane Beryl has been devastating, but we want to make West Indians proud and put a smile on their faces during these tough times," he further added.

The captain mentioned that he had a "good chat" with the King and expressed his hope to make the Caribbean region proud with their performances in the series.

The West Indies team will play three Test matches against England, starting on July 10th, with the final match scheduled to begin on July 26th.