Blackpink honoured by King Charles during state banquet at Buckingham Palace

Blackpink were honoured by King Charles during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday (Nov 21).

The K-pop singers — Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa — were among around 170 guests invited to the glittering event in London hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in honour of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee's state visit to the UK.

During a speech, the monarch gave a shout out to the band for their environmental advocacy work.

Charles told the guests: "It is especially inspiring to see Korea's younger generation embrace the cause. I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as Ambassadors for the UK's Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars."

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He went on to reference his last visit to the South Korean capital back in 1992 alongside his late ex-wife Diana, Princess of Wales.

Charles added: "Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style!"

Yoon also made a speech at the dinner and he hailed the links between the two countries, saying: "When I was young, my friends and I were all fans of The Beatles, Queen, and Elton John. Harry Potter books are adored by many Koreans.

"Most importantly, the United Kingdom is the architect of modern liberal democracy. Most democracies are deeply influenced by British parliamentary democracy. Korea is no exception."

Other guests at the bash included Catherine, Princess of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The menu included warm egg and spinach tartlet, Windsor pheasant breast with croquette of celeriac and calvados sauce and salad, and a mango ice cream bombe for dessert.

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