King Charles appeared in good spirits today as he stepped out in a dapper grey suit to visit Imperial College in London.

The 76-year-old monarch wrapped up in a long navy jacket to brace the cold while making a surprise visit to the Injury Studies Centre at the university on Wednesday.

The King sported a sophisticated long black double breasted coat with a neat white pocket square. 

Once inside the Injury Centre, the monarch slipped out of his outwear, revealing a lightly checkered grey suit and crisp white shirt.

He playfully paired the stylish suit with a turquoise tie with what appeared to be little castles printed on the front. Known for his sprawling collection of motif-printed ties, Charles has previously worn everything from dinosaurs to zebras, owls and cats, around his neck. 

Charles’s arrival came just days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – with the aim of the visit to highlight the UK’s support to all the injured service personnel in the country.

He said he was ‘full of admiration’ for the surgeons working at a rehabilitation site for injured soldiers and civilians in Ukraine as he learned about how the UK is supporting rehabilitation efforts in the wartorn country. 

During the engagement, he was reunited with David Henson MBE, a British Paralympian who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan in 2011, who the King first met ahead of the inaugural Invictus Games held in London in September 2014.

King Charles appeared in good spirits today as he stepped out in a dapper grey suit to meet university students in London (pictured)

The 76-year-old monarch wrapped up in a long navy jacket to brace the cold while making a surprise visit to the Injury Studies Centre at the university on Wednesday (pictured speaking to Anthony Bull the director of the centre, right)

Prince Harry, 40, founded the international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans and last week attended the first winter sporting event in Vancouver, Canada.

The Duke of Sussex also had a link to the Centre, as he opened its forerunner, the Centre for Blast Injury Studies, in 2013.

Upon arrival at Imperial’s White City campus, the King was taken to the laboratory space where Shehan Hettiaratchy Imperial’s Major Trauma Director, and Anthony Bull Director and Associate Director of the Centre for Injury Studies explained the Centre’s armoured protection research.

Charles was then shown some samples of combat boots that they are currently developing, which absorb energy before it comes to the foot, to avoid severe heel injuries that result in amputation.

Taking a keen interest in the new designs, the King asked: ‘The existing ones are pretty good though? You’re just improving it?’

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Mr Bull said.

He then viewed a demonstration of a machine simulating the creation of combat injuries to see how adequate protection can limit injuries before speaking to a Ukrainian surgeon via video link.

Hnat Herych, who is head of surgery at Unbroken – a rehabilitation site in Lviv, built to provide a variety of services for injured Ukrainians – told him that the centre has been treating a large number of wounded soldiers on the front lines as well as injured civilians.

Charles’s arrival came just days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – with the aim of the visit to highlight the UK’s support to all the injured service personnel in the country

Upon arriving at the White City Campus, the King was greeted by swatches of smiling students who hurried catch a glimpse at the royal

Announcing a new partnership between Unbroken and Imperial, the doctor said that since receiving British support, they have been able to establish a centre for constructive surgery to help ‘restore bodies shattered by the war’.

He said: ‘I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the UK’s unwavering support of Ukraine.

‘In these turbulent times, Britain has not only remained our steadfast ally but has also demonstrated true global leadership in defending Ukraine and standing up for freedom.

‘The commitment of Your Majesty and the British people is invaluable to us and we are certainly hope for your continued support in these critical times.’

In response, the King spoke of his admiration for their work and the collaboration between the two countries.

‘I am so glad that Imperial College is able to have this obviously very effective relationship with Unbroken,’ he told Mr Herych.

‘I’m only hoping I’m not causing a terrible disruption to your normal working activities there; I know how busy and committed you all are.

‘I hope you can give my kindest thoughts and wishes to all your team… I’m full of admiration for what they try to do there.’

The Centre for Injury Studies at Imperial College London is part of the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre

Once inside the Injury Centre, the monarch slipped out of his outwear, revealing a lightly checkered grey suit and crisp white shirt

During the visit, the king was shown around the laboratory by the university’s Major Trauma Director, Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy, and Director and Associate Director of the Centre for Injury Studies, Professor Anthony M. J. Bull and Dr Spyros Masouros (left) respectively

While at the centre, the king chatted with university staff where he also also learned about the vital link between research and humanitarian efforts regarding the war in Ukraine

He heard about how Imperial applies lessons learned from previous conflicts, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, to support the wounded in Ukraine

His Majesty was then taken downstairs to view Imperial’s cutting-edge virtual reality biofeedback technology – demonstrated by Mr Henson – which enhances rehabilitation following limb loss.

‘Thanks for demonstrating that,’ the King told the former Paralympian, before asking if the prosthetics he uses are new.

‘It must be hard to get the balance to start with,’ the King remarked before noticing that they are different heights.

Mr Henson, who moved full-time into academia in 2018 before moving into the defence industry in 2021, told him that one leg was amputated above the knee, and one through the knee – so it took a while to get the prosthetics to the correct position.

‘Are you still taking part in games and sports?’ the King asked.

‘So I’m a touch too old, I think,’ Mr Henson joked. ‘I did the Invictus Games in 2014 and 2016, paralympics in 2016 and I stayed one of the trustees of the Invictus Games until the end of 2023 – so I’ve certainly been involved with it.’I’m back in the defence industry now.’

Charles then enquired after his wife and three children, and told him: ‘You are a great example to us all.’

He then turned around and pointed to the staff and all of the equipment he had been shown and said: ‘It is remarkable what they are doing.’

He playfully paired the stylish suit with a turquoise tie with what appeared to be little castles printed on the front

Charles couldn’t hide his delight as he strolled through the crowds of youngsters, stopping to shake hands with several while other caught the moment on camera on their phones

The Centre brings together different disciplines focused on understanding traumatic injuries and studies injuries sustained in conflict zones, sport and everyday life, working to protect and rehabilitate people of all ages from injuries of all types.

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Before leaving, the King met representatives of organisations and UK government departments involved in an international medical partnership, including staff from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care, before chatting to current Ukrainian students at Imperial.

Danil Zadorozhnyi, President of the Ukrainian Student Society told him the group was formed in the wake of the conflict.

During the King’s visit, hundreds gathered outside as word quickly spread on campus about the unannounced royal visit.

Others crowded round glass doors and windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monarch.

As he left the building, the King made a beeline for the large crowd and spent over five minutes shaking hands and greeting the wellwishers.

Charles couldn’t hide his delight as he strolled through the crowds of youngsters, stopping to shake hands with several while other caught the moment on camera on their phones. 

Ingrid Temmerman, the Editorial Assistant to the Head of the Department of Chemistry, said she had been waiting outside in the chilly 7C temperatures for over 90minutes.

‘I think I caught pneumonia, but it’s worth it,’ she joked, adding: ‘It was amazing, I got to shake his hand. This is the best day of my life.’