Queen Camilla was greeted by an excited supporter in Bradford as King Charles was wowed by magician Steven Frayne’s impressive tricks.
Their Majesties, travelled to West Yorkshire, where they were warmly welcomed by locals ahead of the City of Culture celebrations on Thursday.
One royal superfan, who holding a Union Jack flag and wearing a crown, couldn’t contain her excitement at meeting the Queen.
Holding Camilla’s hand the woman gushed: ‘Oh your Majesty, I am so happy for you!’
Meanwhile the King was reminded that he is a member of the magic circle as he met a magician who got his first break by The Prince’s Trust.
Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, was given a loan by the King’s charity in 2003, which enabled him to start his own business.
Charles inquired about his progress, and Frayne excitedly shared, “We recently completed 50 shows in London. The plan is to take the show on a tour and eventually develop it into a TV series. You should definitely join us!”
When the King laughed, Frayne said: ‘We can tell our story! We go way back…’
Charles replied: ‘Oh, I know.’
Frayne continued: ‘You know what I mean? I wouldn’t be doing magic today without the support you gave me, so, you know…
Charles said: ‘Yes, but it was your determination…I thought was so remarkable.’
Frayne said: ‘Well, thank you.’
The King continued: ‘And it’s the gift of the gab. You go on talking so people don’t know what you’re doing.’
‘Although sometimes, you know, the best moments happen in the silence. The real magic.’
Charles went on: ‘And incredible amounts of preparation?’
Frayne described the journey as relentless, likening it to the rigorous training of an athlete. Reflecting on the time since their initial meeting in 2003, he emphasized the continuous need to innovate and create new magical concepts.
When questioned about the source of his inspiration, Frayne revealed to the King, “Many ideas stem from my travels and occasionally, I retreat to my magic workshop. It’s my creative sanctuary where I lock myself in, exploring different magical possibilities.”
Charles asked: ‘And are you a member of the magic circle?’
The magician replied: ‘Yes. I think we’re in the top level now. There’s only a select few. I believe you’re in there as well?’
Charles laughed and recalled being granted honorary membership of the elite magician’s club in 1975 after performing a trick where balls appear and disappear under upside down cups.
The King said: ‘Yes, a cup and balls thing. It’s impossible.’
Frayne then went on to show the King some tricks.
First he said: ‘Here’s something I’ve been working on I’ve got some newspaper clippings but I’ve been trying to take any bad news and turn it into good news so that’s one way to do it.’Passing Charles the cuttings which had by now turned into bank notes, he asked the King: ‘You can confirm that is legal tender?’
Looking at the notes, the King said: ‘Yes, I presume it is.’
‘Save that for later,’ said Frayne. ‘Let’s try this.’
He then went on to guess the King’s choice from a deck of cards but rather than making it reappear in a pocket as he did with other volunteers, he turned to the King and said: ‘But your card, I’m going to try it a bit differently,
‘So I take my phone and let me see how you’ve got the Wifi in the area, I want you to focus on your card and just name it out loud.’
The King confirmed his card was the King of Hearts, to which Frayne revealed that not only had the magician’s mobile phone had changed the network to show the name King of Hearts but so had all the mobile phones in the room.
Charles and Camilla started their trip to Bradford with a colourful song and music-led visit at Bradford Live where they are meeting performers and creatives involved in the region’s year as UK City of Culture.
Camilla looked typically elegant in an ice blue dress and coat by Anna Valentine with two diamond dragonfly brooches from her own collection.
Meanwhile a beaming Charles looked smart in a grey suit which he paired with a purple shirt and tie.
The royals shook hands with members of the public who were patiently awaiting their arrival.
Bradford Live, a 3,000-capacity entertainment and event venue, where they were greeted by a performance of eight musicians from Paraorchestra, an integrated ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians.
Inside the recently-regenerated entertainment venue, which has stood in the city centre since 1930, The King and Queen also watched a rehearsal by local pupils of ‘Sing, Dance, Leap’, an education programme in schools across the city run by the Royal Ballet and Opera with Northern Ballet and Opera North.
Bradford was chosen as the UK City of Culture over 20 other bids in May 2022 by the Government to showcase its best in music, the arts and heritage.
They are also due to join a reception attended by artists, contributors to the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme, and other guests, where the King will meet young people from Bradford who have been supported by The King’s Trust.
This includes Bradford born-magician and alumnus of The Trust, Steven Frayne – formerly known as Dynamo.
Charles and Camilla will then go their separate ways for a string of engagements during the day with the King finally visiting Cartwright Hall.
The art gallery and community cultural space in Bradford’s Lister Park which has a David Hockney gallery, dedicated to the life and career of the Bradford-born artist.
The collection includes a unique selection of Hockney’s work from the 1950s and reproductions of personal photos, on display in a public gallery for the first time.
Keen artist Charles is known to love Hockney’s work and recently visited him privately when he returned to the UK to live.
The King will also meet local people involved in grassroots cultural activities and community groups in the city, watch a performance by the Bantam of the Opera choir, a group of local Bradford City Football Club fans taught to sing opera by BBC Radio Leeds, and undertake a public walkabout.
Their busy programme will conclude tomorrow when the King is joined by Prince William for a service for the Order of the Bath – an ancient British order of chivalry – to mark its 300th anniversary year at Westminster Abbey.
‘It’s wonderful to have His Majesty back in Bradford, and to have the Queen accompanying him, so soon after his last visit,’ Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council told the BBC.
She continued: ‘We know the Royal Household has a special place in many hearts right across the district, and it’s lovely to see this reciprocated.’
‘It’s already such a big year as the district celebrates being UK City of Culture 2025,’ Susan said, adding, ‘We look forward to welcoming them to the district and hope they enjoy their visit.’
King Charles last visited Bradford in 2022, shortly after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
Yesterday the couple held a garden party at Buckingham Palace for 7,000 guests working in the fields of education and skills.
King Charles looked dapper in a grey suit, with a light cream waistcoat, and a pale blue tie, which featured little submarines.
Charles was ‘in his element’ as he chatted to one lady who has set up a charity teaching endangered heritage arts and crafts to young people suffering from complex neurological conditions in memory of her late son.
He also chatted knowledgeably with a university student sadly suffering from cancer about radiation treatment.
And he delighted a group of ladies in the crows after spotted their beautiful colourful traditional dress. ‘You must be from Nigeria?’ he said.
‘Yes!’ said Professor Adetoro Adegoke from Buckinghamshire New University.
She smiled afterwards: ‘I was vibing him to come over here! He told me he had been to Nigeria and it was vast. How amazing that he recognised Yoruba immediately. Wonderful man.’
The event was held at the request of the government to thank people working in the education and skills sector. It was attended by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
After standing for the national anthem the couple were clapped as they walked to meet as many in the crowds as possible.
