Beaming King Charles shares ‘healing hug’ with New Zealand rugby team

King Charles III found himself in the middle of a scrum when he accepted a hug from a New Zealand women’s rugby player.

Charles laughed as he was affectionately mobbed by the Black Ferns, in the UK to take on England’s Red Roses, after he said “hug, why not”.

Winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga had made the cheeky request and her teammates joined in, leaving the monarch giggling from the group hug during a Buckingham Palace reception.

The King later made the squad laugh during an impromptu speech, when he said: “I much appreciated this chance to meet you and have such a warm hug from most of you,” adding it was “very healing”.