He was hailed for work ethic amid beach clearing efforts

King Charles addressed small boat rescues with RNLI volunteers during his first visit to Kent as monarch yesterday, it’s reported.

Following comments earlier this week regarding “irregular migration” across the English Channel at the start of French President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to the UK, the king met with crew members at Walmer lifeboat station.

His visit on Thursday (July 10) was hailed by social media observers as “inspirational”, coming as plans between the UK and France to reduce the number of small boat crossings were announced.
King Charles ‘inspired’ observers with yesterday’s RNLI visit (Credit: Cover Images)

King Charles visit to RNLI in Kent

According to the BBC, King Charles met with three crew members honoured for a rescue operation 10 miles off the coastline.

The monarch heard how the lives of dozens of people were saved in one particular rescue when the small boat they were on took on water. However, four people died in the harrowing December 2022 incident.

The king reportedly enquired: “Do you get a lot of those call outs?”

“Not so much here,” volunteer crew member Daniel Sinclair is said to have replied. He also noted stations in Ramsgate and Dover tended to deal with Channel crossings.

Mr Sinclair, an RNLI volunteer for 17 years, also described how the small boats were “not very seaworthy”. The operation was “traumatic”, he added.

Mr Sinclair went on to tell reporters: “It was a very chaotic and stressful call out for us on board our Atlantic 85. We saved five people’s lives, stopped them from drowning and it was bitterly cold but the adrenaline kept us going.”

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‘An amazing honour’

Reacting to images on Instagram of King Charles meeting RNLI volunteers, royal supporters made it clear how impressed they are with the monarch’s work ethic.

“He never, ever stops working! This is what a life of service looks like!” one user commended him.

“So inspiring to see such deep dedication,” cooed another fan.

Applauding King Charles with a string of clapping emojis, someone else added: “Always working.”

Meanwhile, another supporter gushed: “Such a heartwarming visit!”

And yet another thrilled onlooker chipped in with: “An amazing honour for our volunteers!” To which someone else, who seemed to have been in attendance, added: “It really was a very special visit.”

Additionally, crowds from Deal and Walmer also witnessed the king assisting with a spot of litter picking on the beach.

Those shingles are very hard work.

Waving a litter grabber in the direction of those watching on, he reportedly admitted to one resident: “Those shingles are very hard work.”

Queen Camilla and King Charles hosted President Macron and his wife this week (Credit: Cover Images)

What did King Charles say about ‘small boats’?

On Tuesday (July 8), King Charles told guests at a Windsor Castle state banquet how deepening co-operation between the UK and France will help protect against “profound challenges” such as terrorism and organised crime.

“Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions,” he said.

The King continued: “These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time.”

The monarch also mentioned “irregular migration” across the English Channel ahead of the unveiling yesterday of a “one-in, one-out” plan concerning small boat users and asylum seekers.