By Paul Thompson and Brittany Chain and Rory Tingle and Gemma Parry For Mailonline
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The woman who kissed King Charles today told Mail Online: ‘I know it was being cheeky but I just had to.’
Jenny Assiminios stunned the new monarch as she leant over a crash barrier to plant a kiss on the new monarch’s cheek.
Charles smiled as 73-year-old widow Jenny clasped his hand and kissed him to the delight off the packed crows outside Buckingham Palace.
The emotional moment came when Charles and his wife Camilla met dozens of well-wishers and mourners outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Jenny, who is originally from Cyprus, said: ‘I have always been a big fan on Charles. I was very nervous, but excited when I saw he was coming towards me.
One woman kissed King Charles’ outstretched hand as he made his way through the crowds
Janny Assiminios was so overcome by emotion that she reached out and grabbed his face before pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek
‘I had only planned to shake his hand, but as he took my hand thought I would ask if I could give him a kiss. He said he didn’t mind and I just kissed his cheek.
‘He was lovely about it and smiled and I looked into his eyes and I knew he was okay about it.’
After the kiss was captured by TV cameras Jenny said she was congratulated by police officers who were standing nearby and others in the crowd.
She said the moment summed up the affection that so many people felt for the new King.
Jenny, from Holloway, North London, said the death of the Queen had brought back sad memories of the passing of her husband George four years ago.
With two friends she had travelled to Buckingham Palace to pay her respects.
She had stood at the front of a metal barricade and admitted there had been some jostling as people tried to get a better view.
‘The death of the Queen must have been very hard for Charles. I have always admired the Queen and her husband
They were such wonderful people and you can see that from all the people who came out.
‘I know people will support King Charles just like they have supported the Queen during her wonderful reign.’
Jenny, who has two grown-up sons, said she is proud to have been the first member of the public to kiss the new King.
‘I have lived here since 1965 and love this country.’
The King was met with cheers and shouts of ‘God save the King’ as he stepped out of his Bentley and moved trough the crowd of thousands, stopping to shake hands and speak with people who had spent all morning awaiting his arrival.
He made an effort to address as many people in the crowd as possible, and accepted a single rose from one of the many well wishers who brought flowers along for the occasion.
Ms Assiminios later clarified she asked the King permission before planting a kiss on his cheek
Ms Assiminios was excited to meet the King and to have such a close interaction with him
King Charles III and the Queen view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace
Thousands of well wishers and mourners gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to the late Queen and catch a glimpse of the new King
In total, he spent 12 minutes with the public outside palace gates.
Film director Raynald Leconte, 47, who is from New York, said he was lucky enough to speak to the King and Queen Consort outside Buckingham Palace.
‘It was quite a moment,’ he said. ‘I said, ”condolences”. He said, ”really, really thank you very much”. And to his wife I wished her good luck and she said, ”thank you very much”. I think she said, ”I’ll need it”.’
Among the crowds, retired Ammar Al-Baldawi, 64, from Hertfordshire, said: ‘It was impressive, touching, a good move to come out to the crowds.
‘I think that’s where the royal family needs to communicate with the people now. These are true loyalists here and it’s nice to see him back in post, taking charge of the family and the Crown, which is reassuring.’
Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles but maintained a distance as he greeted the public and accepted their well wishes.
She returned to his side to appreciate the bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes left at the palace gates.
Charles was well received by well wishers who lined the streets to meet with him
King Charles III views floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II
Police had moved the crowds back from the main entrance of Buckingham Palace at about 1.30pm in anticipation of the King’s visit, with officers creating a 30ft pathway between the crowds and the bouquets of flowers.
Charles and his wife Camilla landed at RAF Northolt just after 1.30pm after leaving Balmoral, where they had stayed overnight after racing up to be at the late Queen’s bedside.
The King met Prime Minister Liz Truss this afternoon, before making a televised speech to the nation at 6pm.
Members of the royal family had made the urgent dash to be with the frail monarch as her health failed yesterday.
The Firm made an announcement of her ‘peaceful’ death at 6.30pm at Balmoral, which is considered one of her favourite residences. She and her late husband, Prince Philip, often spent the summer there.
King Charles received a warm reception from the public on arrival at Buckingham Palace on Friday
King Charles III is greeted by well-wishers during a walkabout at Buckingham Palace
Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles but maintained a distance as he greeted the public and accepted their well wishes
Prince William – now using the title of the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge – left Balmoral just before 1pm and is travelling back to Windsor to be with his family ahead of the Accession Council, Kensington Palace said.
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, still remain at the estate.
‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held,’ Charles said in a statement on Thursday night.
Charles was by his mother’s side for much of the day after catching the royal helicopter from Dumfries House in Ayrshire with his wife Camilla.
His younger sister Princess Anne was already at Balmoral after royal duties also took her to Scotland.
They were joined by other senior members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty’s other two children, Andrew and Edward, and Prince William.
Charles took a moment of solitude to examine the floral tributes left for his beloved mother at Buckingham Palace
The new King and Queen Consort headed for Buckingham Palace after leaving Balmoral
The family rushed to the Queen’s Scottish residence after an unprecedented statement from her doctors revealed they were ‘concerned’ about her health and were keeping her under medical supervision.
Charles is becoming monarch at 73 years old, nearly half a decade older than the Queen was when she found herself in the same position.
He is likely to launch a radical overhaul of the monarchy in the wake of his mother’s death, having frequently spoken about a slimmed-down front-line.
Do you know the woman who kissed King Charles’ hand? Email brittany.chain@mailonline.com
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla embrace one another while looking at the floral tributes
Thousands turned out to greet the new King and he made an effort to shake as many hands as possible
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Bentley on Friday afternoon
Emotional crowds gathered to get a glimpse of the King, who appeared equally moved by the commitment
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