Prince Charles offers handshake before remembering new greeting amid coronavirus outbreak

Royal later greeted Pierce Brosnan with a 'Namaste'

Prince Charles is finding it difficult to avoid shaking hands when greeting people amid fears over coronavirus.

On Wednesday, the Prince of Wales arrived at the Prince’s Trust Awards, held at the London Palladium, where he attempted to shake the hand of Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, upon stepping onto the red carpet.

However, after extending his hand, the 71-year-old remembered the precautions in place to limit the spread of germs - prompting him to quickly retract his hand and laugh as he placed his palms together in the Hindu greeting “Namaste” instead.

“I do it all the time,” the royal could be heard saying in a clip of the exchange.

But moments later, Prince Charles could be seen again extending his hand for a handshake as he was introduced to others on the red carpet, before remembering and offering a Namaste to each person in turn.

The royal eventually got the hang of the alternative welcome, later greeting other guests, including Pierce Brosnan, with a Namaste.

Prince Charles eventually remembered to avoid the greeting (Getty)

This is not the first time Prince Charles has opted for a hands-free introduction - during Monday’s Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, the royal greeted representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations with the Indian greeting, People reports.

As of Wednesday, coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic, has killed eight people in the UK.

To limit the spread of the virus, officials are urging people to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly and to keep distance from people who are sick.