King Charles’ Visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Leads to an Awkward Exchange with Heung-Min Son
King Charles made an unexpectedly awkward remark to Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son during his visit to the club’s stadium, seemingly unaware of the club’s recent struggles in the Premier League.
The monarch was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday as part of an engagement focused on the club’s contributions to its local community. His visit aimed to highlight the “positive socio-economic” impact Spurs have had through various initiatives.
During his time at the stadium, King Charles met with individuals who have directly benefited from Tottenham’s community programs. He observed a session from The Huddle Project, a collaboration between the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the NFL Foundation, and Nike, which aims to support young people through sports. In addition, the King received commemorative gifts from both Spurs and the NFL before being introduced to several notable figures, including Son, Tottenham Women’s captain Bethany England, British-born NFL player Efe Obada, and Phoebe Schecter, the captain of Great Britain’s Women’s Flag Football team.
An Uncomfortable Conversation with Son
Despite the grandeur of the occasion, an exchange between King Charles and Son quickly became a talking point. The 76-year-old monarch struck up a conversation with the South Korean forward, asking about Spurs’ next fixture. Son informed him that Tottenham would be facing Manchester United on Sunday.
What followed was an unintentionally awkward moment. King Charles, unaware of Spurs’ struggles this season, inquired if the team had a “good chance” in the upcoming game. Son, choosing his words carefully, responded with a hopeful, “I hope so.”
However, the moment became even more uncomfortable when the King, with club chairman Daniel Levy standing behind him, asked, “Is the team in order at the moment?” Given Tottenham’s current predicament—sitting 14th in the league table and with their only realistic shot at silverware coming in the Europa League—Son was put in a difficult position. Trying to be both respectful and honest, he admitted, “It’s a difficult moment, but we are working hard.”
Fans React to the Awkward Exchange
Footage of the moment, shared by ESPN, quickly went viral, sparking a wave of humorous reactions from fans online.
One supporter commented on Daniel Levy’s presence during the exchange, writing: “Levy’s face lmao, he was preparing for Sonny to say we’re s**t.”
Another fan joked about Son’s diplomatic approach: “He was searching for the right words because his brain was instantly offering only swear words instead.”
A third user added, “Sonny couldn’t break poor Grandpa Charles’ heart by telling him what he really thinks.”
Others appreciated Son’s honesty, with one fan stating, “I mean, at least he’s honest.” Another took a more lighthearted approach, quipping: “Must be good to be the King and take the p** out of absolutely anyone.”*
Who Does King Charles Support?
While the King’s comment may have caught Spurs fans off guard, his own football allegiances lie elsewhere. Unlike many royals who traditionally support high-profile clubs, King Charles has openly declared his loyalty to Burnley.
His affinity for the Lancashire club dates back to at least 2010 when he was offered a VIP season ticket and a place in the directors’ box at Turf Moor. In 2012, during a reception and dinner for the British Asian Trust, he confirmed his support for the Clarets.
“Some of you asked this evening whether I support a British football club, and I said, ‘Yes, Burnley,’” the King revealed at the time.
He went on to explain his reasoning, adding, “People have responded, ‘Burnley?’ Oh, yes, because Burnley has been through some very challenging times, and I’m trying to find ways of helping to regenerate and raise aspirations and self-esteem in that part of the world. My charities have been working there to demonstrate that an integrated approach can produce the best dividends.”
Although his visit to Tottenham may have resulted in a slightly awkward exchange, it was ultimately part of a broader effort to recognize the positive impact football clubs can have on their communities—something the King has long championed.
King Charles makes extremely awkward comment to Spurs player Son Heung-min with Daniel Levy watching
