King Charles picks up the sticks at Commonwealth reception

King Charles III had a go on the steel drums at a packed palace party for the Commonwealth.

He picked up the sticks beside musician Khan Cordice while Queen Camilla looked on. It drew laughs and applause in the room.

The reception was held at St James's Palace on Wednesday, 14 October, hosted by the King and the Queen to celebrate the Commonwealth diaspora, as listed by Reuters. They were joined by Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester. The evening was billed as a celebration of the contribution of Commonwealth communities in Britain and beyond.

About 350 guests filled the palace, according to the most recent account of the night Royal Central. That makes it one of the larger palace receptions this autumn. Guests came from across community groups, the arts, sport, business and public life.

The timing was deliberate. The party was held ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the gathering where leaders of member countries meet. That summit is scheduled for 1 to 4 November in Antigua and Barbuda. The Commonwealth itself is a voluntary association of 56 member nations.

The guest list mixed pop, art and diplomacy. Australian singer Delta Goodrem was there, alongside artist Veronica Ryan and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey. Cordice led the musical section of the evening. His steel-drum set gave the King his moment with the sticks.

The King serves as Head of the Commonwealth. That is a symbolic, unifying role for the voluntary association, rather than a political or executive one. It puts him at the centre of Commonwealth ceremony in the run-up to the leaders' meeting.

What makes this stand out is the sound. Palace receptions usually run on speeches and handshakes. This one had drumbeats too.