King Charles quips ‘not another speech’ as he makes wry joke about his health

The King made a joke about his own mortality in a short speech during his final engagement in New York this evening.

King Charles delivers a speech in New York (Image: Getty)

King Charles gave the third speech of his four-day state visit to the US on Wednesday evening, joking: “I hesitate to make yet another speech.” The 77-year-old monarch, who has packed in another busy day of engagements on the penultimate day of his trip stateside with the Queen, joked “as we look to the future, I won’t see the long-distance future” he wanted those in the room to “champion the next generation”.

Charles, who continued to undergo treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, addressed an audience packed full of celebrites who had gathered for a reception at auction house Christie’s in New York. The party, which included Lionel Richie, Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, Katherine Jenkins and Charlotte Tilberry, was held to showcase UK’s cultural importance in the Big Apple and across the States – in areas such as sport, arts and community.

The party was held in partnership with The King’s Trust, which had an America branch.

The Queen, in a green chiffon leopard print dress, joined the King, meeting the stars like they were old friends.

In his speech Lionel, a King’s Trust Global Ambassador, said: “I can assure everyone I’m not singing tonight. This is an honour. What an honour, They actually wrote a speech for me but I actually feel I know this gentleman from the heart.

He said the UK/US relationship is the ‘best of cultural experience’, they ‘put arms around kids, promote them to a better place’.

The singer added: “I’ve done this for 40 years. We are now taking it to the next stage, taking the global group around the world. For 50 years the gentleman I’m gonna bring forward is actually responsible for more than you know about the heart of kids.

He introduced Charles to the stage, who, after two speeches yesterday, said: “I hesitate to make yet another speech.”

Lionel Richie heaped praise on the King (Image: Getty)

He went on to say the evening was an opportunity to celebrate the King’s Trust and the “enduring bond” between the UK and US.

Charles added: “Which of course is a relationship rooted in shared creativity, enterprise and values reminding us we are truly greater together, that’s the point.

“Its a wonderfully and proud but extraordinary moment to think its 50 years since I started this Trust. Quite difficult to get it off the ground but we did.”

He said: “As we look to the future, I won’t see the long-distance future, but I’m enormously grateful to you for what you can all do as supporters to help in this vital endeavour to champion the next generation ensuringthat their talent and ambition continue to strengthen our society for many years to come.

He added: “With the help of people like Lionel Richie, bearing in mind he isn’t singing this evening, how does he do it? Gargle with port or something? Thank you for being here you’ve been very noble to come and support and presence are really deeply appreciated.”

Lionel said about the King’s Congress speech: “I thought it was brilliant and how he threaded the needle – so brilliant, but brought us back into humanity as only he can do. A friend, giving advice as to what we should be doing, a wise friend.”