For years he was one of the world’s most eligible bachelors, so it might seem only natural that King Charles has picked up a trick or two in that time.
And as these pictures show, the monarch certainly knows how to turn on the 1000-watt smile – and pucker-up!
We saw him in action again on Wednesday at a Buckingham Palace reception for Prince’s Trust award-winners and celebrity ambassadors.
While more restrained guests shook his hand, Spice Girls singer Geri Horner – who has met the King on several occasions down the years – gave the delighted monarch a hug and a kiss on both cheeks.
Geri even offered Charles a pep talk, telling him ‘you’re a very modern king’.
At least this time she didn’t leave a lipstick smacker on the royal cheek – as she famously did with her fellow Spice Girls in at a Prince’s Trust event in 1997.
Not that ‘prince charming’ seemed to mind…
Charles shows how it’s done, kissing Princess Mary of Denmark’s hand at Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport in 2012
In 1997, the Spice Girls met King Charles to celebrate the 21st Anniversary Of The Prince’s Trust – and left their mark…
A warm welcome for former Spice Girl Geri Horner as she attends the Prince’s Trust Awards
A royal prerogative: Fundraiser Gail Ronson is all smiles as as she meets Charles at the Royal Opera House in 2004
Spain’s Queen Letizia gets the royal treatment on a visit to Bishop Auckland in 2022
It’s me again!: Charles kisses Geri at a party for the The Prince’s Trust in 2004
Spice Girl Emma Bunton moves in for the kiss during Prince Charles’s tour of Africa in 1997
Kisses all round, as Camilla and Charles greet William and Kate at the world premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in 2021
Prince Charles adopts the cheek-to-cheek approach while welcoming Sophie, then Duchess of Wessex, at the 2014 Commonwealth Day Observance service in Westminster Abbey
Enchanté: The then Prince of Wales freets Joanna Lumley at the John Betjeman Centenary Gala held at The Prince of Wales Theatre in 2006
Meeting The Countess of Chichester at the Royal Opera House in 2004 – as Camilla looks on
Prince Charles at a polo match in Windsor with actress Susan George in 1991
Charles and niece Zara Phillips get to grips on the first day of Royal Ascot in 2008
Queen Sofia of Spain gets into the spirit of things as Charles arrives in Madrid in 2004 to attend a gala dinner
