King Charles’ surprising hobby helped his mental health

King Charles III gave a delightful peek into his personal hobbies as he discovered a surprising common interest in knitting with Tom Daley during the initial day of his US state visit.

This playful conversation happened at a garden gathering held at the UK ambassador, Sir Christian Turner's, residence in Washington, wrapping up a day focused on significant diplomatic activities.

Among the 650 attendees were politicians, leaders of various charities, and cultural influencers, but it was Charles’ friendly chat with Tom that attracted the spotlight, unveiling a more personable and relatable side of the King.

Tom, who is as famous for his knitting as his Olympic victories, later detailed their conversation, noting that the King attempted the hobby as a youngster.

“He mentioned he tried knitting at eight years old and wasn’t particularly adept,” Tom shared. “But he expressed interest in taking it up again, acknowledging its benefits for mental well-being.”

The Olympian, now residing in Los Angeles with his husband and their two children, described knitting as his personal “creative outlet, mindfulness tool, and meditation practice,” and even hinted at a potential collaboration with the King someday.

“I'm hoping to reintroduce it into the school curriculum and perhaps he can assist with that,” he added.

The garden event was a highlight of the royal pair’s four-day tour, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Earlier, Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed at the White House before attending the ambassador's gathering in the evening.

Camilla, on the other hand, kept it refreshingly honest by confessing to feeling “quite jet lagged” following the lengthy trip, all while engaging with charity leaders devoted to addressing domestic abuse and child exploitation — causes she deeply supports.

Notable attendees included prominent political figures like Ted Cruz, Nancy Pelosi, and Mike Johnson, alongside sports personalities such as soccer player Esme Morgan.

Though the mood of the night was festive, the trip holds substantial political importance.

The King is expected to address both US Congress houses, highlighting the UK-US relationship as “one of the most formidable alliances in history,” while stressing the need for unity amidst global issues.