Notting Hill Carnival organisers, masqueraders and steelpan players were able to get a preview of the new king’s style when Charles, then Prince of Wales, visited The Tabernacle in Powis Square on 13 July 2022, eight days before the official launch of Notting Hill Carnival and less than two months before he became king.
His Majesty the King has long been a staunch supporter of Carnival since the mid-70s, even writing the foreword to the official NHC magazine in the 1980s. He has had extensive contact with Caribbean culture and music on numerous royal visits and at other events in the UK and abroad, so his visit to Carnival Village was entirely in character.
The future king and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Consort), met moko jumbies, steelpan players, masqueraders, calypsonians, sound system operators, mas designer Melissa Simon Hartman, NHCL chief executive Matthew Phillip and wire-bending maestro Carl Gabriel, among others. The latter’s most recent – and now rather poignant – creation was the 8ft-high crowned head of the Queen, which was seen by millions across the world as it made its way down the Mall and in front of Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant on 5 June. Quoted by ITV, Carl said that Charles “was very excited about it [the sculpture] – he loved it”.
of an 8ft-high crowned head of Queen Elizabeth. Photograph: Haroun Shah
Charles was impressed by a re-creation of an old-school sound system and tried his hand at playing a steelpan but admitted: “I’m not much cop at this.” However, he did reveal to one of those present that he had inherited a fine collection of calypso records that he plays from time to time. These were from his aunt, who was an avid fan of steelpan and calypso. Princess Margaret always made sure to catch as much of the local music as she could whenever she travelled to the Caribbean, often dancing into the night, and even took part in Seychelles’ first post-independence carnival. It seems as though her enthusiasm left its mark on our new king.
We understand from those who were there that the royal couple were easy to talk to, seemed genuinely interested in the community and its activities, and had a very positive attitude towards Carnival and Caribbean music. That may prove valuable as Carnival faces significant challenges in the years ahead.
Soca News wishes HM King Charles and Queen Camilla all the best on their Coronation, today Saturday 6 May 2023. We hope that the royal couple will maintain their close connections with, and interest in, the countries, territories, peoples and culture of the Caribbean and the diaspora.
