King Charles is a Swiftie! After the King's visit to London's inaugural SXSW festival on Thursday, June 5, the official Royal Family Instagram account posted a recap video of his day, with Taylor Swift's "London Boy" playing over the footage. In the clip, King Charles, 76, walks through different displays at the festival and stops to greet a crowd waiting outside SXSW in the rain, and also mingles with attendees inside the event.
"Shoreditch in the afternoon! ☔️," the Royal Family captioned the post, quoting the lyrics to Swift's song. The caption continued, "Hosted for the first time in Europe, The King has visited @SXSWLondon, a culture, technology and creativity festival in Shoreditch, East London.
"Originating in Austin, Texas, the festival aims to serve as a platform to showcase the future of the creative industries, supporting emerging artists and innovative projects," the caption read. "Before departing, His Majesty popped into Old Spitalfields Market to meet locals and speak to stallholders working the market’s ‘Antiques Thursday'. " Swift's "London Boy" was released on her 2019 album Lover and is a nod to her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, whom she dated before she was linked to he ex Matty Healy and her current boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
The song describes Alwyn's laugh, dimples and accent, and Swift even sings at one point, "You know I love a London boy." Alwyn was born in Kent and raised in North London, and he and Swift spent plenty of time together in the city during their relationship. King Charles isn't the first royal to show his love for the pop superstar.
Prince William and two of his children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, attended Swift's June 2024 Eras Tour stop in London, where they posed for a selfie with the singer and Kelce. Taylor Swift poses for a photo with Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Prince George. Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram The family attended the show at Wembley Stadium, where the Prince was believed to have been spotted dancing to "Shake It Off," one of Swift's biggest hits.
In November 2024, Prince William shared a sweet story about a Swift-inspired friendship bracelet that Charlotte, 10, made for him, telling broadcasters in South Africa that his "Papa" bracelet was "a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert." The prince said his daughter gave the accessory to him before his trip, and he "promised that I'd wear it and try not to lose while I was out here." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?
Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The King was also spotted with what appeared to be a friendship bracelet in July 2024, when he was seen wearing a red and yellow string bracelet on his wrist after departing the State Opening of Parliament with Queen Camilla. Princess Charlotte and King Charles on May 5, 2025.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage Days earlier, Princess Charlotte wore a similar pink and blue style bracelet while attending Wimbledon with mom Kate Middleton. Princess Charlotte shares a close bond with her grandfather, King Charles. The monarch has been spending more time at Windsor Castle — just a short drive from where Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children live — making it easy for him to be a regular presence in their lives.
“He once wanted a daughter,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward recently told PEOPLE. “I imagine he has a very special relationship with his granddaughter.”
