King Charles' Close Call Prompts Quick Security Response — But His Reaction Steals the Show
During his visit to Jedburgh on Thursday, July 2, King Charles officially opened the town's traditional handba' match.
Members of the British Royal Family carry out several public engagements every year, meeting crowds, shaking hands, and having conversations with well-wishers across the UK and overseas. But given their high public profile, these appearances are often supported by carefully planned security operations designed to protect the royals while allowing them to remain accessible. The officers constantly assess potential risks and are prepared to react within seconds if any unexpected situation arises. One such moment occurred recently when King Charles' security team reacted swiftly to a close call in Roxburghshire, Scotland. Watch the video here!
During his visit to Jedburgh on Thursday, July 2, Charles officially opened the town's traditional handba' match by tossing the ceremonial first ball. Soon, the centuries-old contest, which has been played since 1704, sprang into action as dozens of powerful players charged forward, just a short distance from the monarch. This unexpected rush prompted the King's security team to quickly surround him, pushing him a few steps back as the players rushed for the ball, as reported by HELLO Magazine.
Despite the chaos, Charles is said to have remained composed. Dressed in a smart grey suit, he continued chatting with those around him while watching and enjoying the iconic game. Charlie Young, who is the president of Jethart Callants Club, spoke of the moment and said, "The King was chuckling away at what was going on. He was loving the roughness of it all." He added, "He actually knows the game and said he had played it in Ashbourne in Derbyshire, but I have no idea when that was." Charlie went on to explain that the game is a full-contact contest with very few rules, adding that the action got a bit heated at that moment.
Additionally, experienced handba' player Tam Miller said, "This is our tradition that goes back 500 years, and it's a great honor for us to have the King start one of our games." Our hand ba' is still well supported by the younger men in the town - and we can now call it the royal hand ba' game from now on." It's worth noting that Charles's visit to Jedburgh coincided with the opening day of the Jethart Callant's Festival, in which the festival leaders rode into town on horseback to welcome Charles. They also performed a traditional Scottish reel dance in the market square, as reported by the BBC.
Opening up about how the moment felt, Callant Robbie Thomson said, "Riding up the street with the flag and seeing the King waiting for us was absolutely brilliant. King Charles had a lot of questions about the dancing and the ride-outs we are doing during the festival. The festival is only just starting, but this feels like the icing on the cake already." Meanwhile, Charles spent over three hours in Jedburgh, meeting local shopkeepers, market stall owners, and the massive crowds who gathered along the streets to greet him.
