Awkward moment King Charles struggles to open a puzzle box

‘Thank God I was shown how to do it!’ Awkward moment King Charles struggles to open a puzzle box from Jordan during visit to Leighton House museum in London

The King was left perplexed when he tried to open a puzzle box during a visit to one of London’s architectural treasures today.

This afternoon, the monarch, 74, toured the former home of Victorian artist Lord Leighton, who lavishly decorated parts of his property in a Middle Eastern style and with artefacts collected from his travels in the region.

Parts of the building have been renovated, with an exhibition space and learning centre created and new furniture commissioned from artists supported by Turquoise Mountain, an organisation founded by Charles in 2006 to help revive historic areas around the globe and traditional crafts.

During his visit, he was asked to try to open a small wooden box – decorated with a geometric marquetry pattern- made by Ibrahim Khdoj, who is a Syrian craftsman helped by Turquoise Mountain. 

For a few moments, Charles turned the box in his hands and laughed as he tried and failed to find a secret catch.

Staff at the museum then came to the rescue when they showed him how to prise off the lid. 

As he was leaving the visitor attraction later in the afternoon, Charles pointed to the box and told a guest: ‘You’ll never open it – thank god I was shown.’

The centrepiece of Leighton House, in the capital’s exclusive Kensington district, is the Arab Hall which was designed to display the Victorian artist’s priceless collection of more than a thousand medieval Islamic tiles, mostly brought back from Damascus in Syria.

The tiles were the inspiration for a mural running up the length of a large spiral staircase which is part of the new renovations to the tourist attraction.

During his visit Charles saw other works by Turquoise Mountain craftsmen and women, from jewellery and textiles to sumptuous carpets from Afghanistan.

Shoshana Stewart, president of Turquoise Mountain, said: ‘His Majesty has been a huge supporter of artisans around the world and artisans with Turquoise Mountain and it is about creating a livelihood for people.’

She added: ‘And the wonderful thing which obviously His Majesty saw before anybody is that this is the way the world is moving and should move.

‘Which is that we want to increasingly buy a piece that means something, that comes from a particular tradition, and know about the person who made it.’

King Charles III appeared in good spirits as he today enjoyed perusing the art at the newly-renovated Leighton House museum in London. 

The royal appeared impressed by the ornate items in display, including a puzzle box from Jordan which he struggled to open

King Charles III spoke with with Iranian artist Shahrzad Ghaffari during his tour of the newly-renovated Leighton House museum in London

The monarch, 75, visited to hear about its artistic partnership with Turquoise Mountain, the charity founded by the then Prince of Wales

The monarch visited to hear about its artistic partnership with Turquoise Mountain, the charity founded by the royal when he was Prince of Wales to preserve and develop traditional craft practices across Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East.

He donned a sleek navy blazer, teamed with a matching periwinkle tie, for the event. 

The royal appeared impressed by the ornate items in display, including a puzzle box from Jordan which he struggled to open.

Charles was also pictured looking at stunning rugs from Afghanistan, and spoke with with Iranian artist Shahrzad Ghaffari during the tour.

The king looked taken by her mural, called called ‘Oneness, 2022’, displayed with gorgeous and silver tones at the museum.

It comes as the monarch this week made a trip to Brick Lane in East London for the first time since becoming King.

The King and Queen Consort were treated to a warm welcome as they travelled to Brick Lane in East London yesterday.

Charles was also pictured looking at stunning rugs from Afghanistan during his visit to the museum 

He donned a sleek navy blazer, teamed with a matching periwinkle tie, for the event. Pictured looking at a puzzle box

The king appeared to struggle with a puzzle box from Jordan as he enjoyed a tour of the museum

The king looked taken by her mural, called called ‘Oneness, 2022’, displayed with gorgeous and silver tones at the museum

The king founded  Turquoise Mountain to preserve and develop traditional craft practices across Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East

The couple met with the movers and shakers of the London Bangladeshi community, visiting charities and businesses.

They also met individuals who were actively involved in the anti-racism movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

The couple were welcomed by dancers in traditional clothes with basket of flowers as they walked down the historic East London street.

And during a walkabout at the University of London, the royal faced questions about his son Prince Harry, which he did his best to brush off.

As he mingled with the public, a voice asked the King to ‘bring back Harry please, can you please bring him back please?’

Without hesitating, the monarch replied: ‘Who?’ – before quickly realising and laughing at his own mistake, saying: ‘It would be nice.’  

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