King Charles Plays a Carrot as a Musical Instrument Upon Returning to Royal Duties After Hospitalization

King Charles made a notable return to public duties following his March 2025 hospitalization, attending a lively musical reception at Windsor Castle. But what truly captured the internet’s attention wasn’t just his presence—it was his unexpected choice of instrument: a carrot.

The 76-year-old monarch had been admitted to The London Clinic in late March for scheduled treatment related to the cancer diagnosis he publicly disclosed in February 2024. Buckingham Palace confirmed his hospitalization on March 27, emphasizing that the care was planned and part of his ongoing treatment.

While the reception was meant to celebrate the healing power of music, online reactions quickly took a whimsical turn as social media users fixated on the moment the King appeared to play a vegetable like a wind instrument—prompting a flurry of memes and light-hearted commentary.

Having since been discharged, the King resumed public duties with a reception at Windsor Castle on April 3. The event honored individuals involved in community music across the UK — but it was His Majesty’s interaction with the London Vegetable Orchestra that stole the spotlight.

In a playful moment caught on camera, King Charles was seen holding and playing a carrot like a musical instrument. The clip quickly went viral, with the lighthearted act drawing laughs and admiration online.

However, not all of the attention was celebratory. As photos of the King circulated, several netizens voiced concern over his appearance — particularly the condition of his hands.

“I deeply respect the man, but those hands ~ those fingernails 😬. Something is seriously wrong,” someone else noted, while a fourth said bluntly, “Those fingers do not look good.”

As reactions continued to pour in, more observers voiced concern about the King’s apparent physical symptoms. Several pointed to what they believed could be circulation or vascular problems, while others remarked that his fingers appeared unusually thick — some even likening them to sausages.

One amused viewer noted that the carrot flute appeared nearly the same width as the King’s finger. Others were more concerned, questioning why his hands seemed noticeably swollen. “Has anyone else noticed this?” one commenter asked, prompting discussions online about his appearance.

As previously reported, King Charles made a brief hospital visit in March following side effects related to his ongoing cancer treatment. The 75-year-old monarch postponed several public engagements to prioritize his recovery after returning to Clarence House.

Buckingham Palace’s announcement was released later in the evening, following internal discussions between the King’s medical team and palace staff. They carefully considered whether his upcoming visit to Birmingham should go ahead, ultimately deciding to postpone the trip in the interest of his health.

A royal source emphasized that the King’s “recovery path continues in a positive direction,” and described the hospital visit as “no drama.” His Majesty was treated at The London Clinic, the same facility where he underwent care for an enlarged prostate in January 2024. He traveled to and from the hospital by car.

The visit was not seen as a significant development, and no further updates on the King’s condition were expected at the time of writing.

Reports from The Sun revealed that Prince Harry was not informed about his father’s hospital visit. The Palace chose not to contact the Duke of Sussex, who is 5,000 miles away, to avoid causing unnecessary concern.

However, King Charles’ recent outing playing a carrot with the London Vegetable Orchestra was not the first time his appearance caused concern amongst the public.

On Friday, March 28, 2025, King Charles made another public appearance. His brief outing prompted a flurry of comments from netizens, who were concerned about the monarch.

Onlookers gathered in the heart of London were met with a rare sight that Friday morning — King Charles III seated in the back of a sleek black Audi, his face partially visible behind the slightly lowered window.

It marked his first public appearance since his hospitalization just one day earlier, and the quiet gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on those watching.

His expression, though composed, bore the weight of a man in the midst of a deeply personal health battle.

With a pale complexion and a somewhat gaunt appearance, the King offered a modest wave through the glass as he was driven past a crowd of well-wishers lining the sidewalk — many of whom raised their phones to capture the fleeting moment.

His Majesty has remained committed to his constitutional responsibilities, including reviewing state papers and holding regular meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Even amid treatment, his devotion to duty has remained steady — a trait he has carried through solemn ceremonies, cross-continental trips, and through the windows of a moving vehicle.

While his brief appearance offered comfort to many royal watchers, it also ignited a wave of reactions online — social media platforms were flooded with messages of both concern and support. For many, the monarch’s frail appearance did not go unnoticed.

“Londoners heading out of London is always a good idea.😀👍 King Charles does look quite unwell overall so hopefully this break will benefit him. 👑🙏” observed one commenter.

Another spectator expressed similar hope, “Bless him. Let’s hope he goes somewhere where he can get some proper rest […] 🙏🙏 #GodSaveTheKing #LongLiveTheKing.”

“My prayers to King Charles to recover soon with how you are feeling! 🙏🏻💙 Thinking of you! ❤️” added a fellow supporter, while someone else simply encouraged, “Hope he is ok rest and recover [sic].”

In a broader chorus of observations, some people pointed out that the King has not looked particularly well for some time, suggesting that his recent appearance only confirmed their ongoing concerns.

A few netizens expressed uncertainty about whether he would be well enough to attend upcoming events, with one person wondering aloud about his ability to join Easter celebrations. “Good news, he will be able to make Friday prayers!” cheered a fan, on the other hand.

Despite the unease surrounding his health, there were voices of optimism in the mix. One admirer rallied support for the sovereign’s strength, stating, “Long live the king’s resilience!”

Meanwhile, some reactions came from those who had witnessed the event in person. Tourist Julian Mati, 34, divulged, “We were horrified when we heard the news yesterday. We had come down to the palace today to take pictures but we never imagined we would see the King. To see him smiling and waving, it’s such a relief.”

From thoughtful prayers to pointed concern, the range of reactions highlights the emotional impact the monarch still has on the public — and just how closely his journey is being followed.