King Charles III made a spirited return to public duties on April 3, 2025, following a brief hospitalization due to side effects from cancer treatment. Hosting a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate community music, the 76-year-old monarch delighted attendees by playing a recorder fashioned from a carrot.
The event featured performances by various musical groups, including the London Vegetable Orchestra, renowned for crafting instruments from fresh produce. In a lighthearted moment, King Charles joined the orchestra, playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on a carrot recorder, much to the amusement of the 350 guests present.
This appearance marked King Charles’s resumption of public engagements after his hospitalization on March 27. Diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, he has been undergoing treatment since. Despite these health challenges, the King is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Italy with Queen Camilla next week, coinciding with their 20th wedding anniversary.
King Charles has a longstanding appreciation for music, having played the cello, piano, and trumpet during his youth. His participation in the recent musical event underscores his enduring support for the arts and his commitment to engaging with the community.
