In a regal affair at Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and First Lady Kim Keon Hee for an opulent state visit. Amidst the grandeur, approximately 170 guests, including the globally renowned K-pop sensation Blackpink—Jisoo, Rose, Jennie, and Lisa—gathered for a banquet on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
King Charles’ Praise for Environmental Commitment:
During his speech, King Charles took a moment to commend South Korea for its remarkable strides toward environmental sustainability. Additionally, he highlighted the impactful advocacy of Blackpink, recognizing their role as Ambassadors for the U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26 and later as advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
“It is especially inspiring to see Korea’s younger generation embrace the cause,” King Charles remarked. “I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, better known collectively as BLACKPINK, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience.”
The mention of Blackpink prompted the four members to share awkward smiles at their respective tables. King Charles went on to express admiration for how the group prioritizes vital environmental issues while maintaining their status as global superstars.
“I can only admire how they can prioritize these vital issues, as well as being global superstars,” he continued.
Injecting humor into his address, King Charles reminisced about his last visit to Seoul in 1992 with Princess Diana, saying, “Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style!”
The Buckingham Palace state dinner became a stage for the convergence of royalty and pop culture, with King Charles acknowledging the significant efforts toward sustainability by both South Korea and the influential advocacy of Blackpink. As the worlds of monarchy and entertainment intersected, the event underscored the importance of global figures in championing environmental causes.
