KING Charles III shook hands with dozens of members of the public outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, as well-wishers greeted the King following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth.

Maria Fitch, a Farnham resident, was among the crowds of people with her daughter, Joyia. Having just placed a posy, they were ushered into a line to wave at the King as he arrived back in London from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the Queen had died.

Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, then stepped out of the royal car just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in an unanticipated gesture.

Taking the crowd, including Maria, by surprise the King and Camilla worked their way along the line, shaking hands with Maria who said “God bless you” as she held the new monarch’s hand.

This was then broadcast across the news and worldwide web, where friends of Maria as far afield as Australia contacted her to say they had seen her.

Maria said: “To shake the hand of King Charles in his first public appearance as monarch was an absolute privilege.

“As we remember the Queen and all she has done, I am sure King Charles will follow in his mother’s footsteps and be a truly great King for both the country and the Commonwealth.”