King tries steel pans at St James's Palace Commonwealth reception ahead of CHOGM
King Charles played a few notes on the steel pans at a St James's Palace reception for the Commonwealth diaspora on 14 October. The event came before the Commonwealth leaders' meeting in Antigua and Barbuda next month.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2King Charles tried playing the steel drums (steel pans) at a reception at St James's Palace on Wednesday 14 October 2026 that celebrated the contribution of Commonwealth communities in the UK and beyond. Evening StandardN “The King tried his hand at playing the steel drums at a reception celebrating the Commonwealth diaspora.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “King Charles couldn't resist playing the steel pans at a palace reception” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2The King was accompanied by the Queen and the Duchess of Gloucester, and the Evening Standard reported he was seen laughing and smiling as he struck the instrument with a steel pan stick. Evening StandardN “Charles could be seen laughing and smiling as he used a steel pan stick to strike the instrument” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “They were joined by the Duchess of Gloucester and guests from across the 'family of nations'.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2He was chatting to steelpan musician Khan Cordice, who is Antigua and Barbuda's director of culture. The Daily Mail quoted the King as saying 'I can't do it as good as you'. Daily MailR “His Majesty played a few notes and said to him: 'I can't do it as good as you.'” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Evening StandardN “Mr Cordice, who is director of culture for Antigua and Barbuda” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Mixed · 2Cordice told the Press Association the King said he was not good at the drums, had been following their music, and joked that he needed a new teacher and a better pan. Cordice added that they would have to work towards getting him one, and said they would give lessons. Evening StandardN “He jokingly said that he needs a new teacher and he needs a better pan too. We’re going to have to work towards getting something for him.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “Khan joked afterwards: 'I'm going to give him some lessons.'” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Centre · 1According to the Evening Standard, the King smiled as Cordice played a rendition of Beethoven's Fur Elise on the steel pans, and Cordice said the King's response was 'overwhelming in a good way'. Evening StandardN “Charles smiled as Mr Cordice played a rendition of Beethoven’s Fur Elise on the steel pans.”““overwhelming in a good way”” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Mixed · 2Other guests included Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey and the actor Peter Davison, who played the fifth Doctor Who; the Daily Mail spells the surname 'Davidson'. Davison said he reminded the King that they had worked together on a John Cleese-linked environmental film, and that his father was from Guyana. Evening StandardN “Davison said he reminded the King during their conversation that they had worked together many years ago on an environmental film produced by John Cleese.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “Peter Davidson, who played the fifth Doctor Who, spoke to the King and recalled when they both appeared in a John Cleese production with Video Arts.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Mixed · 2The royals also met high commissioners and representatives of Commonwealth-linked organisations; the Daily Mail adds supporters of The King's Trust International and the British Asian Trust. Attendance was given as around 350 guests by the Evening Standard and around 300 by the Daily Mail. Evening StandardN “which was attended by around 350 guests” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “Around 300 guests included Secretary-General of The Commonwealth Secretariat”“as well as supporters of The King's Trust International and the British Asian Trust.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2The reception came ahead of the King and Queen's trip to Antigua and Barbuda, which hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 1 to 4 November. Evening StandardN “The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is being hosted in the Caribbean nation from November 1 to 4.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Daily MailR “ahead of their trip to Antigua and Barbuda next month” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A light royal-engagement report built around the King's attempt at the steel drums, with detailed guest anecdotes and Press Association quotes.
- Emphasis
- Cordice's teasing about the King's 'touch', the Fur Elise performance, Davison's family link to Guyana and the purpose of the diaspora event.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the King's Trust International or British Asian Trust supporters.
- For example
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“Charles could be seen laughing and smiling as he used a steel pan stick to strike the instrument” — Evening Standard
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- A playful palace-reception piece, leading with the King being unable to resist the steel pans and framing the evening as the start of the CHOGM countdown.
- Emphasis
- The King's self-deprecating remark, Cordice's offer of lessons, and Antigua and Barbuda's ambitions as CHOGM host.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Fur Elise performance or that Davison's father was from Guyana.
- Charged language
- “King of music!”“couldn't resist”
- For example
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“King of music! Charles couldn't resist playing the steel pans during palace reception” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- The reception took place at St James's Palace on the evening of 14 October.
- The King played the steel pans and spoke with Khan Cordice, Antigua and Barbuda's director of culture.
- Peter Davison and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey were among the guests.
- The event preceded the CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda from 1 to 4 November.
Where accounts differ
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Number of guests
- Centre
- Around 350 guests attended.
- Right
- Around 300 guests attended.
Khan Cordice person
Describes the encounter warmly, saying the King is a fan and receptive to the instrument, and that CHOGM will let Antigua and Barbuda 'think bigger'.
“He has been following me for some time and is very fond of my music” — Evening Standard
“'CHOGM is going to allow Antigua and Barbuda opportunity to think bigger.” — Daily Mail
King Charles III person
Reported as self-deprecating about his playing, saying he needs a better teacher and better pans.
“He needs a better teacher, he said he needs better pans.” — Daily Mail
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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King plays steel drums at event celebrating Commonwealth diaspora
Neutral Straightforward account of the reception with quotes from guests and context on CHOGM.
Right1 article
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King of music! Charles couldn't resist playing the steel pans during palace reception
Celebratory Upbeat, pun-led headline presenting the King's pan-playing as charming and the reception as a CHOGM curtain-raiser.
- 14 Oct 21:00 First Evening StandardN King plays steel drums at event celebrating Commonwealth diaspora
- 14 Oct 23:19 +2h 19m Daily MailR King of music! Charles couldn't resist playing the steel pans during palace reception
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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