King Charles gets a group hug with New Zealand women's rugby team

King Charles hugs New Zealand women's rugby player
Aaron Chown/PA via AP
ByGMA Team
September 12, 2024, 8:13 AM

King Charles III got a heartwarming surprise from the New Zealand Women's rugby team at their meeting in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

King Charles III smiles as he meets New Zealand's Black Ferns rugby union team at Buckingham Palace in London, Sept. 11, 2024.
Aaron Chown/PA via AP

Upon meeting the 75-year-old monarch, the team asked if they could get a hug to which he said, "why not?"

King Charles III smiles as he meets New Zealand's Black Ferns rugby union team at Buckingham Palace in London, Sept. 11, 2024.
Aaron Chown/PA via AP

The group hug prompted a big smile from King Charles and drew a witty response.

"It's like being flattened by a scrum," he said of the similarity to the tactical move on a rugby pitch.

King Charles III smiles as he meets New Zealand's Black Ferns rugby union team at Buckingham Palace in London, Sept. 11, 2024.
Aaron Chown/PA via AP

Charles thanked the team for the hug and said it was, “very healing.”

The New Zealand Black Ferns were in London to play England’s Red Roses.

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