King Charles Plays a Carrot Instrument — Yes, Really — With The London Vegetable Orchestra

King Charles III showed off his musical skills by using an unconventional instrument.

The British monarch, 76, cohosted a reception celebrating the importance of community music with Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and his wife, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, at Windsor Castle on Thursday, April 3. “His Majesty met with community music groups who performed throughout the evening, including the London Gay Men’s Chorus, Songs for Ukraine Chorus, and the Sing for Freedom Choir,” the royal family’s X account wrote alongside pics from the event.

Among the reception’s many guests was the London Vegetable Orchestra, who notably played music using instruments crafted from home-grown vegetables. Charles tried his hand at one of the unique instruments, performing a rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” with the group.

Following the jam session, the four-person ensemble showed off their instruments while informing Charles he could keep his carrot recorder, per a clip shared by Sky News. The Royal Family’s X page shared another performance from the London Vegetable Orchestra, as they played a cover of The Beatles’ “Let It Be” — hilariously retitled “Lettuce Bean” — outside of Windsor Castle.

Thursday’s gathering of musical groups marked one of Charles’ first public events since his brief hospital stay last month. Buckingham Palace announced on March 27 that Charles “experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital” amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

A handful of his scheduled appearances were subsequently postponed. “His Majesty would like to send his apologies to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” the statement continued.

News broke in February 2024 that Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer just one week after undergoing a prostate procedure. Charles resumed public-facing duties the following month.

Charles was spotted leaving his Clarence House home in London on March 28. Chris Ship, royal editor at the U.K.’s ITV News, shared via X that Charles was traveling to the royal family’s Highgrove country estate in Gloucestershire, England, for the weekend, though the palace did not confirm the plans.

Charles was once again back to public-facing duties on Tuesday, April 1, per an update from Buckingham Palace. Though the monarch will continue his typical meetings and scheduled public engagements, some appointments have reportedly been rescheduled to allow Charles extra time to rest before his and his wife Queen Camilla’s upcoming visit to Italy, per People. The couple — who recently adopted a new rescue puppy — are set to leave for their trip on Monday, April 7.

Last month, one of Camilla’s unnamed aides claimed to Newsweek that it has been “exhausting” for her to balance her royal duties with supporting Charles through his cancer battle. Camilla, 77, filled in for her husband at many royal events before he resumed his duties.

“It would have been draining for a woman half her age,” the anonymous aide explained in an interview published March 12. “But I think if one is to attempt to see a benefit from that period, actually it did give a chance for the media, and the world, to see some of the work that she had always been doing with greater interest and clarity.”