Entertainment

Prince Charles Says He's Struggling to Not Shake Hands Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Liz Calvario‍

Entertaiment Tonight

Published: March 11, 2020 at 5:44 PM

Prince Charles is getting used to new protocols.

The Prince of Wales attended the Prince's Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards at the London Palladium on Wednesday, where he forgot a new policy of not shaking hands amid coronavirus concerns. In video and photos taken upon his arrival, Charles can be seen offering his hand to Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, before he offers a namaste sign instead.

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"It's just so hard to remember not to," the 71-year-old royal laughs as he greets Olisa. He is then seen walking over to more administrators, and once again offering his hand before remembering his new greeting. Once inside the event, he says hello to everyone in the same way.

View this post on Instagram

Prince Charles says he is struggling not to shake hands because of #Coronavirus Arriving at Princes Trust awards this afternoon, he twice extended his hand before withdrawing it at the last minute. ‘It’s just so hard to remember not to,’ he laughed and offered a Namaste instead. Shaking hands is just second nature to them. Will take some getting used to 🙏🏻

A post shared by Windsor Royal Family (@windsor.royal.family) on Mar 11, 2020 at 11:29am PDT

Prince Charles Handshake — Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Charles Namaste — Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Charles — Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Prince's Trust Awards recognize young people who have overcome issues and made a success of their lives with the help of the charity. Charles also delivered an uplifting speech during the event.

"I wanted to offer my heartfelt congratulations on this occasion to all of those astonishing young people who have been recognized today at these Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Awards," he said. "They have all, as you have seen, shown tremendous courage and determination to make positive changes in their lives and are a real inspiration to us all."

View this post on Instagram

“I wanted to offer my heartfelt congratulations on this occasion to all of those astonishing young people who have been recognised today at these Prince’s Trust and T.K. Maxx and Homesense Awards. They have all, as you have seen, shown tremendous courage and determination to make positive changes in their lives and are a real inspiration to us all.” . Today, The Prince of Wales attended the annual @PrincesTrust Awards in London, which recognise young people who have overcome issues and made a success of their lives with the help of the charity. Prior to the ceremony The Prince, President of The Prince’s Trust, met charity ambassadors and award hosts @antanddec and performer @craigdavid. Follow @PrincesTrust to see more!

A post shared by Clarence House (@clarencehouse) on Mar 11, 2020 at 1:54pm PDT

Meanwhile, Charles, and the rest of the royal family, followed the same "no handshake" protocol and policy at Monday's Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.

No one in the royal family shook hands with any of the attendees or those presiding over the service. One royal reporter noted that Prince Charles was not shaking hands with anyone, also offering a namaste greeting to guests. The same reporter later tweeted it was Westminster Abbey policy at the moment to not shake hands rather than royal protocol due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus in the U.K.

Prince Harry was later spotted giving singer Craig David a forearm bump instead of a handshake.

Coronavirus elbow bump or just two cool guys, one of them formally known as a prince? #royals #harry #craigdavid @wabbey pic.twitter.com/j1MxBP2dqI
— Monique Jessen (@moniquejessen) March 9, 2020