King Charles receives hand‑drawn portrait from 7‑year‑old at Norfolk church

Seven‑year‑old Olivia Rickards handed King Charles III a hand‑drawn portrait of the monarch as he arrived for a service at St Mary the Virgin church in Flitcham, Norfolk, on the Sandringham estate. The picture showed the King in a blue suit and tie with a note that read, “Dear King Charles, thank you for looking after England, you do a wonderful job.” Charles thanked the girl, joking, “At least I’m smiling in the picture,” and gave her a handshake. He was accompanied by Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams and arrived in his £160,000 Lotus Electre electric SUV.

The royal appearance came after a busy week that saw Charles meet former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation, welcome new leader Andy Burnham to Buckingham Palace, and attend the Royal Horticultural Society Sandringham Flower Show. The following day the King and Queen Camilla made a high‑profile entrance at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow, stepping out of a Doctor Who TARDIS.

The encounter highlighted the monarch’s continued public engagements and his light‑hearted interaction with the young donor.