King Charles lauds ‘fantastic’ AI tool at Apple London HQ

King Charles got a rousing reception as Apple CEO Tim Cook welcome the monarch to London’s headquarters.

King Charles hailed Apple’s AI tool “fantastic” as he toured the company’s London headquarters.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took the monarch through the former Battersea Power Station in southwest London, where he was also shown the latest artificial intelligence.

King Charles spoke to young people who have been part of program run by The King’s Trust, including 20-year-old Naomi Spence.

King Charles III an Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook. Picture: AFP

Charles visit stirred a frenzy. Picture: Getty Images

She showed the King how she uses Apple Intelligence to turn basic sketches into detailed drawings.

“Oh God. It’s not fair really. Fantastic. You’re very expert with it,” Charles joked.

The King also unveiled a plaque outside the former power station to commemorate the royal visit, while British singer Raye brought the festive spirit with some Christmas carols.

British singer Raye reacts beside King Charles III during the unveiling of a plaque. Picture: AFP

Ahead of her performance, Mr Cook praised the monarch: “We are honoured to host His Majesty King Charles III at Apple Battersea.

“At Apple we are honoured to call this our home in the UK and we are so grateful to His Majesty for visiting us this afternoon.”

The monarch spoke with traders, some of whom are young entrepreneurs supported by The King's Trust's Enterprise program. Picture: Getty Images

The King engaged with Apple employees, learning about their work and contributions to both the tech industry and wider community. Picture: Getty Images

Charles sniffs a candle as he meets with traders during a visit to the Christmas market at the old Battersea Power Station. Picture: AFP

SEARCH FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH MEMORIAL DESIGN

The UK government has launched a search for a team to design a “historic” memorial to pay lasting tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The monument will be erected in central London’s sprawling St James’s Park, not far from the queen’s main home in Buckingham Palace.

The “permanent memorial to the UK’s longest-serving monarch” will be “one of the most significant design projects in recent British history”, a government statement said.

St James’s Park is the oldest of the royal parks, flanked on either end by Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards Parade.

It will have a provisional budget of £23-46 million ($29-58 mn), including the cost of constructing a new bridge across the park’s lake.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry on May 18, 2015 in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

“This National Memorial will provide a permanent tribute to the late Queen’s legacy, offering space for reflection as well as celebration,” said senior cabinet minister Pat McFadden.

“We want the very best architects and designers to come forward with their ideas for how this historic project should look,” he added.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee said it was seeking “a design that is beautiful, inclusive and sustainable”.

Architect-led submissions for the two-stage competition will be open from December 12, 2024 to January 20, 2025.

Short-listed teams will then have 10 weeks to create design masterplans. The final design will be announced in time for what would have been Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday in 2026, the government confirmed.

WILLIAM REVEALS CHRISTMAS PLANS WITH 45 FAMILY MEMBERS

Prince William shared some details earlier this week of how he plans to spend Christmas as he handed out gifts to military families.

The king in waiting chatted and joked with soldiers of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment and their families at Picton Barracks in Bulford, Wiltshire.

Karson Heighway, 10, even gifted William a drawing of the prince he created on a post-it note.

Prince William chatted with young and old during the Christmas celebration at Picton Barracks. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Sun reports Wills looked at the drawing and said: “Is that me?”

The prince then joked: “Looks like I have five nostrils.”

William then folded the drawing and put it in his pocket.

William handed out gifts to the children of military personnel. Picture: AFP

When asked about the royal family’s Christmas plans, the Prince of Wales said he hoped to get in long walks with the family dog in Norfolk.

“Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready,” William said.

He said he was looking forward to Christmas with 45 members of his family “all in one room” but “normally spread out”.

The prince opened up about his hopes for the royal Christmas. Picture: AFP

The royal was greeted at the entrance of the barracks by 18-month-old the regimental mascot Derby the ram.

William is colonel-in-chief of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment.

Prince William was welcomed to the barracks by the mascot, a ram called Derby. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

CHARLES AND CAMILLA REVEAL OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS CARD

King Charles and Queen Camilla have released their 2024 Christmas card after a tough year for the cancer-stricken monarch.

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, smile as they casually pose in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace for the photo taken in April by respected UK photographer Millie Pilkington.

The monarch sports a light grey suit, white shirt and patterned blue tie, while Camilla wears a royal blue long-sleeve dress by UK designer Fiona Clare.

The card simply reads: “Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and New Year”.

Commentators noted the photo is a departure from the formal image their Majesties chose last year – an official Coronation photo in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace.

Charles and Camilla have unveiled their 2024 Christmas Card. Picture: Buckingham Palace via Getty Images

The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February following prostate surgery.

He continued to do state business and official paperwork and gradually resumed public duties.

Princess Catherine was also diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. She announced her diagnosis in March after abdominal surgery in January.

Queen Camilla fell ill with pneumonia after her tour of Australia in October and has had to cancel some of her recent appearances as the illness lingers.

King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2023 Christmas card. Picture: Hugo Burnand / Buckingham Palace / AFP

Charles, who is the head of the Church of England, was missing from the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on the weekend.

France showed off to the world the gleaming restored interior of the 850-year-old medieval cathedral, which was hit by a huge fire in 2019.

Instead, Prince William made a solo appearance at the reopening, which was attended by US President-elect Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

William met with Mr Trump after the ceremony for talks at the UK Ambassador’s Residence.

The royal also had planned a meeting with US First Lady Jill Biden.

King Charles and Queen Camilla in Sydney this year. Picture: NewsWire / Bianca De Marchi

Meanwhile, Catherine made one of few official appearances this year when she hosted the Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Friday night.

The princess was welcomed with cheers from an adoring crowd as she arrived with her three children and William by her side.

Charles and Camilla did not attend the service but other attendees included the Middleton family including Catherine’s sister Pippa and brother James.
Royal Family members to attend the service included Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

Originally published as King Charles lauds ‘fantastic’ AI tool at Apple London HQ