’A hug, why not?’: King Charles III enjoys group hug turned scrum with New Zealand rugby team

The King found himself at the centre of a hug that turned into a scrum as he hosted the New Zealand women’s rugby team at Buckingham Palace. The monarch, 75, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, told the Black Ferns that he found the “warm hug” to be “very healing” as he delivered an off-the-cuff speech to the team ahead of their match against England’s Red Roses in Twickenham on Saturday. Addressing the players in the Bow Room at the Palace, the King said: “I much appreciate this chance to meet you and to have such a warm hug from you. Very healing.” Speaking about a recent decision not to include New Zealand in his travel plans when he visits Australia next month, the King said: “I’m extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October – it’s on doctors’ orders. “But I hope there will be another excuse [to visit] before too long. In the meantime, give my love to New Zealand.” Read more here: