King mobbed by NZ rugby team as he apologises for tour snub

King Charles was warmly embraced by one of New Zealand’s star rugby players during a reception at Buckingham Palace before the monarch apologised for snubbing the country on his coming royal tour.
The King welcomed the Black Ferns, the New Zealand women’s rugby union team, to the palace on Wednesday, ahead of their match against England’s Red Roses this Saturday.
As the monarch was speaking to the players, winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga made the cheeky request saying: “Yeah, we all wanted a hug but only if it’s OK with you?”
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Why Kate’s public role may never be the same again after cancer
The King said: “A hug, why not?”
He was then affectionately mobbed by the team in a group hug, which resembled a scrum, leaving the King laughing.
Charles, 75, later mentioned the encounter during a speech saying: “I much appreciated this chance to meet you and have such a warm hug from most of you,” adding “very healing”.
He also apologised to New Zealand for having to miss the country when he and Queen Camilla travel to the Southern Hemisphere next month.
The tour has been drastically scaled back due to the King’s ongoing treatment for cancer with a number of accommodations made on medical advice.
READ MORE: New statue of Queen Elizabeth criticised for lack of resemblance
The King and Queen will visit Australia between October 18-23 on a brief tour that will see Their Majesties take part in engagements in Sydney and Canberra only.
They will then travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The King and Queen were originally hoping to visit New Zealand, too, but that had to be cancelled.
He told the reception: “I’m extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor’s orders, but I hope there’ll be another excuse (to come) before not too long.”
READ MORE: ‘Difficult decisions’ made for King and Queen’s Australian royal tour
It will be the monarch’s first long-haul tour abroad since his diagnosis with cancer earlier this year.
A Buckingham palace spokesman said of the tour’s reduced itinerary: “We’ve had to, as you would with any visit, think about how you can ensure Their Majesties’ energies are preserved to be at their best.
“There had been some hope earlier in the year for Their Majesties to be able to visit New Zealand.
“On doctor’s advice, and in close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand governments, that wasn’t able to take place.
“We’ve had to make some difficult decisions about the programme with the Australian government, about where Their Majesties can get to.”
Later, the King joked about the sportswomen not accepting the champagne on offer at the palace reception, opting for fruit juice and water instead.
He said: “I’m so pleased to have this opportunity to greet you all, for a short moment – apparently not to be able to give you a drink.”
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.