King Charles’s touching gesture for centenarian celebrating her 100th birthday during royal walkabout in Middlesbrough

The King made the day of a centenarian who was celebrating her 100th birthday today – by personally handing her a card from himself and the Queen.

The monarch was on a walkabout in Middlesbrough this afternoon when he was introduced to Rona Grafton who had been waiting patiently to meet him.

He bent down and shook her hand, saying: ‘A very, very happy birthday. Here’s a card from both of us.’

Touching Camilla’s shoulder, he repeated: ‘From both of us.’ And Her Majesty said: ‘A very happy birthday.’

When Charles asked her carer: ‘When is it?’, he was told ‘Today’.

‘Today!’ the King exclaimed, and raised his hands in celebration. He then bent down and sweetly squeezed Ms Grafton’s hand, smiling: ‘It’s marvellous.’

Charles added: ‘You must be getting very cold. I hope this isn’t too much of a shock!’

The special moment came as the King and Queen undertook what is known as a royal ‘awayday’ to Middlesborough, packing in four engagements in the region.

Queen Camilla interacts with the crowd during a visit to Middlesbrough this afternoon

King Charles gestures while meeting members of the public in Middlesbrough today

At the end of the day, they undertook a traditional walkabout in the town. 

Even royal staff were shocked at the turnout – which ran into the thousands, as far as the eye could see. It was far more than had been expected.

Many were waving flags and cheering, while others had dressed up in union flag outfits or dressed up their dogs.

The King and Queen spent 20 minutes walking up and down, shaking hands with members of the throng.

There was a small demonstration of republican campaigners waving anti-monarchist flags but the King decided to face them head on, walking directly up to the them and continuing shaking the hands of the well-wishers in front of them, much to the delight of the crowd.

Julie Parker, 65, said she was ‘overjoyed’, revealing that she had been waiting for three hours since 11am to see him, before members of Republic turned up and ‘started waving their flags’.

Queen Camilla interacts with the crowd during a visit to Middlesbrough this afternoon

King Charles gestures while meeting members of the public in Middlesbrough today

Camilla waves to the crowd during a visit to the International Centre in Middlesbrough today 

She continued: ‘Everyone has a right to their opinion but I do think they could have picked a better time and place, and we didn’t think the King would come near us. 

‘But he did! And we got to say hello. He’s a remarkable man, he really is. We have a lot of admiration for him.’

After moving down the line, the King got into his waiting State Bentley with the Queen but had only got a few yards down the road when he saw how far the crowds stretched and asked his driver to stop.

He and Camilla got out again to huge cheers, with the couple insisting on shaking hands right the way down to the end of the street.

Paul and Shirley Williams said they were shocked to see him stop.

‘We thought we wouldn’t get the chance and that maybe his car would slow down and he would wave out of the window,’ said Mr Williams.

King Charles gestures while meeting members of the public in Middlesbrough today

Queen Camilla during a visit to Middlesbrough’s International Centre this afternoon

King Charles gestures while meeting members of the public in Middlesbrough today

‘We couldn’t believe it when they got out. He came up to me and asked me how he was. Given everything he has been through I couldn’t believe it. How kind. I asked him how he was feeling and he said he was doing well. ‘

Val Haskins, 64, said the King stopped and admired her Union Jack coat.

‘He said I looked very patriotic,’ she said. ‘I shook his hand. It was absolutely mint.’

Her friend Elaine Dunn, 67, added; ‘We love King Charles, we really do. He’s a good man.

‘We are so delighted he has got the chance to show the nation the kind of man he is after the Queen died. He cares about his people, he really does. It was a lovely moment and I can’t believe we got the chance to speak to him.’