Denzel Washington Says He ‘Didn’t Know’ the Right Way to Greet King Charles
Denzel Washington had a memorable encounter with King Charles at the Royal Film Performance of Gladiator II.
The monarch made a solo appearance at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Wednesday, Nov. 13, a day before his 76th birthday, as Queen Camilla recovered from a chest infection.
During the solo engagement supporting the Film and TV Charity during its 100th anniversary year, the King met the movie’s cast members, including a starstruck Washington, 69.
EDDIE MULHOLLAND/POOL/AFP via Getty
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Video footage from the event shows the actor shaking King Charles’ hand as he tells him, “I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab you or not, but it’s my pleasure.”
According to the royal family’s website, “There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”
“For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way,” the website adds.
The confusion didn’t cause any issues, as Washington, who plays gladiator trader and arms dealer Macrinus, could later be seen smiling as he described his character to the King.
“I’m … just awful … I’m a lovely man you’ll see. I’m a lovely chap and doing my best,” he said.
“You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic,” King Charles was heard telling him in response.
Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures
During a screening of the sequel film in Los Angeles in October, Washington further described his character as someone who is “misunderstood” and is a “product of his environment.”
He is “trying to use everybody. He used his mother, he used his own children. He’d already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. But he’s in bed with the devil,” said Washington about Macrinus.
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Gladiator II arrives in theaters on Friday, Nov. 22.
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