King Charles was left visibly taken aback when several guests arrived at St James’s Palace wearing Crocs during a reception held to honor the 25th anniversary of the Royal Drawing School.

The King and Queen Camilla welcomed an array of renowned artists and cultural figures to the palace to commemorate the milestone. As the Founding Patron of the Royal Drawing School, the King hosted the event with great pride—but appeared amused when both Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry showed up sporting Crocs.

He was seen sharing a lighthearted moment with the pair during the evening.

Celebrating 25 Years of Artistic Excellence

Charles and Camilla joined a gathering of distinguished alumni and friends of the institution to explore a specially curated exhibition titled The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School.

The collection features works by 50 influential artists and former students, offering a retrospective look at the impact of the school since its founding in 2000.

The anniversary exhibition, which emphasizes the central role of drawing across artistic disciplines such as architecture, design, performance, and film, will be available to the public for free at the school’s Shoreditch campus from July 1 to July 26.

Among the featured artists are Tracey Emin and David Hockney, both of whom had the chance to personally meet the royal couple during the viewing.

A Personal Contribution from the King

Adding a heartfelt element to the event, King Charles contributed one of his own drawings to the exhibit—underscoring his long-standing commitment to the school he co-founded with artist Catherine Goodman.

Since its establishment, the Royal Drawing School has remained an independent, non-profit institution dedicated to providing high-caliber observational drawing training.

The reception also included a performance by singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, who played a special piano piece and also contributed a drawing to the exhibition.

As the event unfolded, current students of the Royal Drawing School sketched live, capturing the atmosphere and guests in real time.

At the close of the evening, the students presented their completed drawings to the King and Queen, offering a window into the emerging talent the school continues to foster.

A Legacy of Artistic Support

From his earliest days as Prince of Wales to his current role as monarch, King Charles has championed drawing as a foundational element of creative education. The Royal Drawing School remains a testament to that vision—celebrating 25 years of nurturing artists with skill, precision, and inspiration.