King appears as surprise guest at sold-out Shakespeare play

King appears as surprise guest at sold-out Shakespeare play 5 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleYang TianJeff Spicer via Getty ImagesKing Charles III has appeared as a surprise guest at a sold-out performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) production of The Tempest.The monarch was met with cheers from the crowd as he arrived at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and took his seat in the packed auditorium.Backstage, the King toured the company's costume department, describing the pieces as "brilliant" and was seen sharing a laugh while appreciating a replica crown.The RSC's co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey called the visit from the King "a tremendous honour". The production is directed by Sir Richard Eyre and stars Sir Kenneth Branagh as Prospero.Harvey, who sat next to the King, said he seemed like a "true enthusiast of the theatre" and was "laughing away" during the performance."I think he genuinely enjoyed it," she added.Jeff Spicer via Getty ImagesThe King sits among audience members in the auditorium of the Royal Shakespeare TheatreAfter the performance, the King, who is a patron of the RSC, greeted the cast backstage and was seen chatting with Sir Kenneth and Sir Richard.The RSC's production of The Tempest marks Sir Kenneth's return to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for the first time in more than 30 years, and is Sir Richard's debut with the company.Jeff Spicer via Getty ImagesJeff Spicer via Getty ImagesJeff Spicer via Getty ImagesKing Charles greets director Sir Richard Eyre backstageThe RSC's Head Costume Cutter Emily Keifer shakes hands with the KingKing Charles III