King praised for 'immense' technique during American football crash course
By Victoria Ward
The King showed off his "immense" technique at American football as he enjoyed a crash course in the sport.
The 76-year-old monarch won praise from professional players during a tour of Tottenham Hotspur's £1 billion (approx. $1.9 billion) stadium, where he was also told, much to his amusement, that he was "bigger than Beyoncé".
The King visited the north London club on Wednesday to celebrate its outreach work in the community, as well as its partnership with the US's National Football League (NFL).
Watch the video above.
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King Charles is taught how to throw an American Football by Phoebe Schecter (L) and Efe Obada as they attend a demonstration by young people involved in The Huddle Project at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 12, 2025. Getty
After being shown how to throw a football, he was given a rousing cheer as he threw a pass with his right arm.
He was later coaxed into trying his hand as a quarterback, throwing a ball at a net that had hoops as targets.
Although his effort fell short, Efe Obada, 32, a Briton who plays for the Washington Commanders, hailed his performance.
The King was praised for his "immense" technique. Getty
"I loved his energy, the fact that he came in here willing to get stuck in," he said.
"His technique was immense. I wanted him to get a hoop, in the target, but he was just having a good time. We talked about the NFL and he's a fan. He's going to watch the games."
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However, the King's interests in NFL did not appear to stretch to Spurs' brand of football, as he asked captain Heung-Min Son how his team was doing.
Huge applause sounded out as King Charles entered the stadium. Getty
Spurs are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and were last week knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, by Liverpool and by Prince William's favourite team, Aston Villa, respectively.
"Difficult moments, but working hard," Son told the King. Ever the optimist, the monarch replied that there were "a lot of good coaches".
Inside the stadium, the King met community groups and local businesses that have benefited from partnerships with the club.
This included students from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET) – a state-funded sixth form based on the stadium campus that prioritises local students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds – as well as young people supported by The King's Trust, the youth charity he founded in 1976.
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Gina Moffatt, 48, a former prisoner who turned her life around with help from the charity and now runs a successful restaurant in Tottenham employing 15 full-time staff, told the King: "I'm so excited that you're even back in Tottenham, this year's looking all good, Tottenham Hotspur's doing great stuff.
He chuckled as she added: "We've got Beyoncé coming but you're bigger than Beyoncé."
The King holds an American Football on Wednesday. Getty
The American musical superstar is performing at the stadium for six nights in June.
The King, who is believed to be a Burnley fan, was welcomed on arrival by Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman.
Stepping on to the pitch, he was cheered by schoolchildren who had been chanting "we want the King" before his arrival.
He watched a demonstration by young people involved in The Huddle Project, a programme launched in 2023 by Tottenham Hotspur, the NFL and Nike.
Afterwards, the King was presented with a replica of Tottenham's historic original golden cockerel statue, and an American football from Super Bowl LIX, which was played in New Orleans on Sunday.
Ledley King, the former England defender who spent his entire career playing for Tottenham and is now a club ambassador, said after the visit: "It's fantastic to have the King here. There is a lot of great work going on in the community and it's great to have him here at the stadium to see what goes on.
The King acknowledged the impactful charitable efforts happening within the local community, made possible through partnerships with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the National Football League (NFL). Getty
"It's much more than a football stadium, it reaches out to the wider community.
"We spoke about the difference between the NFL and football and how there are quite a few stoppages and now that I'm older it's a lot easier for me with many stoppages.
"It's a pleasure to meet him."
© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2025
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