King Charles makes big admission in Birmingham hospital about age

King Charles III arrived in Birmingham on Wednesday as he returned to work after relaxing summer holiday with family in Balmoral.

The 76-year-old was all smiles and in high spirits as he officially open the new 736-bed Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham.

During the visit, the monarch made an admission about his advanced age in a hilarious way while spending time with the patients. 

Taking to 85-year-old Jacqueline Page, the monarch joked about old age and quipped, “the bits don’t work so well when you get past 70”.

He also spoke with 73-year-old prostate cancer patient Matthew Shinda, inquiring about his health and joking about whisky.

Royal commentator Rebecca English wrote on X: "The King is officially opening the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham and meeting medical professionals, volunteers and patients in its 4,000 square metre enclosed 'Winter Garden'"

The King met Hernata Yonas, the first baby born at the hospital, and her parents, who arrived just 90 minutes after the maternity ward opened last October.

This hospital visit was the King's second engagement of the day in the West Midlands, following an earlier tour of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham.

The royal family also shared the King's stunning photos with details about his visit.

The Palace wrote: "In Birmingham, The King has visited the Oratory of St Philip Neri, which opened in 1909 in memory of St. John Henry Newman. His Majesty was shown the Cardinal’s Room, which remains exactly as St. John Henry left it when he died in 1890."

The statement continued: "The room has no heating or electricity and Newman’s books, possessions, Rosaries, and items of clothing remain untouched."

On arrival, Charles was received by the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, Father Ignatius Harrison, who guided him through the church and gave an explanation of its history.

The King was accompanied by Daniel Joyce, curator of the Newman Museum, on a tour of the building, which included the sacristy where some of Cardinal Newman’s vestments were displayed.

In the library, the King viewed several historic items, among them The Polyglot Bible (1657) with a dedication to King Charles II. He also saw the library’s oldest book, dating back to 1474, the handwritten manuscript of The Dream of Gerontius, and Cardinal Newman’s viola, thought to date from around 1800.

Related: Prince Andrew sidelined by King Charles to make William happy