King Charles makes a good fist of doing the ‘spud bump’

The King proved you can teach an old dog new tricks after he was shown how to do the ‘spud bump’ at Buckingham Palace.

Charles, 75, met with the West Indian cricket team on Saturday ahead of the first test at Lord’s on Wednesday.

He was keen to express his concern at the devastation wrought across the Caribbean by Hurricane Beryl.

But there were also some light-hearted moments, particularly as the monarch was taught how to do a fist bump-style greeting by two brothers called up for the West Indies, Mikyle and Jeremiah Louis.

He also roared with laughter after being shown a number of other traditional Caribbean greetings, involving him slapping and clasping hands.

Afterwards His Majesty inquired after the players’ families back home, asking whether they had all managed to make contact with their loved ones since Beryl battered the islands leaving a trail of destruction and thousands across the region without power and water.

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Team captain Kraigg Brathwaite said: ‘It was great to meet the King. I told him that the hurricane devastated the islands and caused a great deal of damage and now we’ve got even more to play for to make West Indians proud.

‘I said that we want to bring some joy back and put a smile on their face. We want to give people something to cheer for. It’s the least we can do.’

The King also spoke of his desire to see more British youngsters follow their example and take up the sport.

‘The King wished us good luck and I hope we put on a good show for the young people,’ said seam bowler Jeremiah. ‘He told me he would like to see more youngsters playing cricket in England.’

And he expressed his gratitude on being presented with a shirt signed by all the players, though he indicated – touching his back and grimacing – that he was a touch too old to wear it competitively.

Pointing to the framed shirt he joked: ‘Break glass in emergency’, adding: ‘I’m very touched. I don’t think I deserve this at all.’

With a smile Braithwaite said: ‘He said he would probably be supporting the West Indies and we’re very grateful.

‘The history between the two teams goes way back and to be here, playing England, is great. I told His Majesty we were looking forward to the series.

‘I never thought I’d meet the King and it’s good to be here talking to him.’

The King has spoken to a number of Prime Ministers in the region in recent days and has made a substantial personal donation to the relief effort.