King Charles Seen in Public Just Hours After Major Overseas Visit Postponed Due to Health Concerns

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday that King Charles and Queen Camilla’s planned meeting with Pope Francis has been postponed, as the Pontiff is taking some time to rest. The visit, which had been highly anticipated, will now be rearranged for a later date.

While the change in schedule may have disappointed some, the King was still out and about—this time paying a visit to Somerset House in London. His Majesty was there to mark the 25th anniversary of the iconic venue by officially opening a brand-new exhibition titled SOIL: The World at Our Feet, reported GB News.

Looking relaxed and engaged, the King unveiled a commemorative plaque on the newly refurbished Salt Stair before taking a tour of the exhibition, which explores the overlooked but incredibly important world beneath our feet. The exhibit, which is both interactive and educational, dives into the essential role that soil plays in the health of our planet—and even our future.

Split into three parts—Life Below Ground, Life Above Ground, and Hope—the exhibition is co-curated by Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy from The Land Gardeners, along with writer and curator May Rosenthal Sloan and Claire Catterall, Senior Curator at Somerset House. The Land Gardeners are known for their work with farmers and gardeners to improve land health, making the exhibition a natural fit for the King, who has long been an advocate for sustainable farming.

During the visit, His Majesty also spent time with farming families from the Herefordshire Rural Hub, who had earlier taken part in a roundtable on regenerative agriculture. The session, led by The Royal Countryside Fund, focused on the importance of soil health and ways to help more farmers adopt regenerative practices.

The King listened to the families as they shared their experiences and insights from the discussion, underscoring his ongoing commitment to rural communities and environmentally-conscious agriculture. It’s a cause close to his heart—His Majesty founded The Royal Countryside Fund in 2010 when he was still the Prince of Wales.

Now celebrating its 15th year, the charity has grown into a major support system for UK farming families and rural areas. As Patron, the King continues to champion its work, which has included providing over £12 million in funding across 500 community-led projects. More than 4,000 farming families have benefited so far, receiving practical help to make their farms more financially stable and environmentally sound.

So while the meeting with the Pope may be on hold for now, King Charles was clearly in his element—highlighting the essential role of soil, sustainability, and the people working every day to protect the land beneath us.