King Charles III had a bad start to his first official visit to Northern Ireland as King when a leaky pen caused him bother at Hillsborough Castle.
As part of his tour of the UK nations, the new monarch was signing a visitors book in front of the cameras at the Down castle.
Unfortunately, the pen he was using began to leak all over him, causing him to fume: "Oh god I hate this (pen)!" before handing it to the Queen Consort Camilla, who noted: "Oh look, it’s going everywhere,"
The King continued: "I can’t bear this bloody thing … every stinking time."
It completed a disastrous couple of minutes for the Royal head, as he also incorrectly labelled the date while signing the book.
He had to check with an aide, who informed him it was September 13, not September 12 as he had signed.
Earlier on Tuesday, the King met the leaders of the two biggest parties in Northern Ireland in the form of DUP chief Jeffrey Donaldson and Michelle O'Neill, the Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland.
During their brief conversation, the new King thanked Ms O'Neill for the "incredibly kind things" she had said about his mother.
Last week, Ms O'Neill issued a statement following the Queen's death saying she was "grateful for Queen Elizabeth's significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation" and that she "led by example."
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