- The monarch visited the Polish Social & Cultural Association in Hammersmith
- READ MORE: Prince William opens up about his 'most painful experience' during charity visit
King Charles appeared cheerful as he arrived at a Polish community centre in Hammersmith, west London, today to learn about the country's culture.
Polish Social & Cultural Association (POSK) members treated the 76-year-old monarch to a day filled with singing, flowers, and authentic cuisine.
The centre, founded in 1967, hosts exhibitions, meetings, concerts, and film screenings, among other events, according to its website.
The King thanked a 101-year-old Second World War veteran during the visit to the largest Polish centre in Europe today.
Charles appeared delighted to meet Eugenius Niedzielski who served with the 1st Polish Armoured Division during the second wave of landings in the D-Day campaign.
He was honoured for his role in helping to liberate a town in the Netherlands towards the end of the war.
The gentleman, who had pictures of himself as a young soldier stored on his mobile phone, said: 'I told the King that we met in Normandy in June when I was out there for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and today I told him all about my time in the war.
'He told me 'Thank you'.'
King Charles appeared delighted as he accepted a bouquet of flowers during a visit to the Polish Social and Cultural Association today
His Majesty's visit came a week after his trip to Krakow last week where he also attended a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp.
It is understood that the King saw the visit to the London centre as particularly important after visiting Krakow and hearing the experiences of those who survived the Holocaust.
Charles last visited the London centre in 2010 as the Prince of Wales.
Showing him around a gallery exhibition, Johanna Ciechanowska, joked that the King should have brought some of his own paintings.
Speaking later, she said: 'I've seen his watercolours and they are actually quite good.'
During the visit, Charles was shown a collection of art work by Felix Fabian, which had belonged to the artist's friend and muse, Lily Polman.
The 76-year-old monarch met members of the Polish community in Hammersmith, London, today
The father-of-two chatted with members of the London-based centre to learn about the country's culture
Charles met D-Day veteran Eugeniusz Niedzielski (pictured left) during a visit to the Polish Social and Cultural Association today
Charles said the work of Fabian, which included a painting of Warsaw and a drawing of The Beatles, reminded him of the work of Feliks Topolski, another Polish artist who was a friend of Prince Philip and whose work is displayed in Buckingham Palace.
Speaking to his guide round the exhibition, Johanna Ciechanowska, the King said: 'My father had endless ones by him, with the Coronation.'
Visiting the Malinowa [raspberry] room, the King was shown a buffet with various traditional Polish dishes by Alicia Donimirska, chair of Federation of Poles In Great Britain.
Donimirska pointed out a dish called 'Golabki' which told the King translated into 'Pigeon' in English and is made by stuffing cabbage leaves with meat and rice then leaving them to simmer in a tomato soup.
The King was presented with bunches of tulips by two little girls Mia, six, and Kornelia, eight.
Piotr Wilczek, Poland's ambassador to the UK, described the visit as 'meaningful' and said that the two countries had 'a long-shared history'.
He added: 'It was the King's personal choice to visit [the Polish centre]. He knows the place and it was an opportunity to meet people from various walks of life.'
Founded in 1967, POSK is the largest Polish centre in Europe. It has a Jazz café, theatre, library and is open to all nationalities to celebrate and promote Polish culture.
Pictured: King Charles is seen leaving The Polish Social and Cultural Association, POSK, after viewing a newly opened art exhibition and attending a reception with members of the Polish community in London
The monarch looked dapper in a grey suit, pink tie, and thick overcoat to shield him from the chilly February temperatures
Yesterday, King Charles shared an emotional video starring Sir Chris Hoy and Amy Dowden to mark World Cancer Day, a year after he was diagnosed with cancer himself.
The video, posted on the Royal Family's social media pages, featured a range of celebrities, scientists, and charity workers sharing heartwarming messages to those affected by cancer.
After a period of absence from royal engagements, both are now back to work and have previously issued heartfelt messages thanking medical staff for their treatment.
The video released yesterday included messages from Adele Roberts, Tom Daley, and Gok Wan.
Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who recently revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, told viewers: 'We're all in this together, you are not alone.
'Keep living life every single day and keep smiling, and don't forget to enjoy the here and the now.'
Sir Chris, a six-time Olympic track cycling gold medalist, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and revealed in October that he is not expected to recover.
Charles smiled as he met 102-year-old D-Day veteran Eugeniusz Niedzielski (pictured left) at the centre
Charles chatted with Marcin Kalinowski (pictured left), chairman of the POSK, as he visited the Polish Social and Cultural Association
The King, who looked dapper in a grey suit, met various community members throughout the event
Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancer Amy Dowden also featured in the clip after she was forced to take time out from the show during treatment for breast cancer.
The star was diagnosed with stage three cancer in May 2023, underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy, and received the happy news in February last year that there was no sign of cancer in her body.
She said: 'I am sending so much love, strength and thoughts to those affected by cancer.
'I remember after I was diagnosed a nurse telling me to stop holding it all in. If I needed to have a good cry to let it out.'
She encouraged those affected by cancer to not to allow the disease to take away their happiness or who they are.
She said: 'I just wanted to say I am really thinking of you if you are dealing with cancer at the moment.
'Don't be afraid to ask for help and if you can do something every day that makes you truly happy.
King Charles today visited Polish Social & Cultural Association (POSK) in Hammersmith, London, to learn about the country's culture and food
Charles appeared in high spirits as he visited the Polish community centre in London's Hammersmith
Members of the Polish Social and Cultural Association were all smiles as they met with Charles on Wednesday
'When I was diagnosed with bowel cancer it was overwhelming, I knew I couldn't control what it did to my body, but I was determined not to let it affect my spirit.'
Five-time diving Olympic medalist Tom Daley was also featured as he issued his thanks to the medical community.
The diver's father Robert sadly died aged just 40 with a brain tumour in 2011.
Daley said: 'Today, on World Cancer Day, I would just like to say a huge thank you to all the nurses, doctors, scientists and researchers that are continuously trying to find a cure for cancer.
'My dad passed away in 2011, but I want to say that whether you know someone or whether you've been recently diagnosed, we are all in this together and whatever you can do to smile every day is important.'
Fashionista and author Gok Wan, who lost his best friend Allison to cancer in May, added: 'Without your love, care, support and dedication a lot of people out there would be going through an even more difficult time, so thank you so much.'
BBC broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 said: 'We are all with you. This is tough but you are not alone.'
And fellow broadcaster Fearne Cotton said: 'This World Cancer Day I want to say a massive thank you to all of the brilliant doctors and nurses and charities that work tirelessly for the cause.'
The father-of-two shared a laugh with members of the Polish community, who dressed in traditional attire
Pictured: Charles is seen leaving the Polish Social and Cultural Association, POSK, after viewing a newly opened art exhibition and attending a reception with members of the Polish community
102-year-old D-Day veteran Eugeniusz Niedzielski (pictured left) chatted with Charles at the event
The monarch looked animated as he left the Polish Social and Cultural Association on Wednesday
The video did not hear directly from the King or the Princess of Wales, but the poignant clip comes after a particularly challenging year for the family.
In February last year, the royal family announced that Charles had been diagnosed with 'a form of cancer' and he was forced to withdraw from all public engagements while seeking treatment.
He was able to return to most duties two months later while still receiving treatment.
Buckingham Palace said in December that his treatment cycles will continue this year, but that they are planning a 'normal schedule' for the monarch.
In his Christmas Day speech, the King gave a special mention to all of the medical staff who treated him during his ordeal, as well as the rest of his family.
'From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,' he said.
The royals were hit by a second cancer blow just a month after the King's diagnosis, when it was revealed the Princess of Wales also had the disease.
Kate was also absent from public duties for a period of time as she underwent treatment.
In September, she revealed she had completed chemotherapy and last month returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London to thank staff for their work.
Kensington Palace said the royal had wanted to 'show her gratitude to the incredible team, but also highlight the world-leading care and treatment the Marsden provides'.
Elsewhere today, Prince William arrived for what has been described as a 'emotive and powerful' engagement highlighting the work of a child bereavement charity close to his heart.
The heir to the throne, who lost his own mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 - when he was aged just 15 - is today in Cumbria in his role as patron of Child Bereavement UK.
Speaking at the event, William said movingly: 'Sometimes the hardest thing about grief is finding the words for how you actually feel.
'It's crucial for those first few years, particularly, (that) you have support like this…. It's got you in your practice, how to help yourself.
'The mind gets focused on one thing, doesn't it? It's very difficult to do school and normal life.'
William, 42, appeared visibly moved as he greeted young children supported by the charity on Wednesday.
The charity, which is one of the Prince's oldest patronages, is now in its 30th year and supports children and young people when someone important to them has died.
