THERE was a threat of rain, but sunshine broke through the clouds as King Charles III arrived at Centenary Square today, to cheering crowds.

“King Charles!” chanted a group of schoolchildren, wearing colourful crowns and waving Union Jack flags, as His Majesty chatted to people in the crowd and enjoyed a performance by the City of Bradford Brass Band and drummers from Punjabi Roots Academy.

The King was greeted by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Martin Love, and Lady Mayoress Helen Love. After a short walkabout His Majesty was presented by Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Ed Anderson to a civic line which included the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and Bradford Council Chief Executive Kersten England.

The King then went into City Hall to meet young people from across the Bradford district who have achieved success as entrepreneurs, in media and culture, community work and sport.

Safiyyah Syeed, who is known as the ‘Hijabi Boxer’, said: “It was amazing. He knew a bit about all of us. He was so interested in the sport. He was so kind and took his time to speak to all of us. I was shocked someone so important gave us his time today. My 18-year-old self would be screaming right now.”

Brother and sister Yeasin Mohammed, 26, and Jasmin Akter, 21, talked to the King about their experiences as refugees.

Yeasin said: “It is a dream come true. As soon as he shook my hand I paused for a second then had a good chat with him. He was asking me where I was from. He said he wanted to do something for refugees like myself and my sister.

“This day has been amazing. I have done so much in my life but to meet a King, shake his hand and have a conversation, you cannot beat that. It’s a day I will never forget.”

Jasmin added: “It shows what type of person he is. He cares about humanity.”

Bradford amateur boxer Harris Akbar, who hopes to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said: “It was overwhelming then he got to know us a bit and it turned into a fun experience. Meeting someone of his stature is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He asked about my boxing and my diet. He thinks I eat six chickens a day, so I had to tell him I swap them with broccoli. He was down-to-earth. I thought he’d be a bit more serious. Hopefully, he can watch me win the Olympics in two years’ time.”

Footballer Ikra Ali said meeting the King was “amazing”. He added: “I was really nervous; I built myself to talk about football but we didn’t chat about that, so it threw me slightly. He asked about my heritage and where my parents are from. He asked if I go to the Mosque, he was interested in my religion and culture.

“He was really engaged with what we were all saying. He was having laughs and jokes with everyone; I didn’t expect him to be so cool.”

University of Bradford students Resty Tamnare and Devi Dadhaniya were thrilled to shake the King’s hand. “I can’t believe I just met the King! I feel emotional,” said Resty.

“We might never get this opportunity again. We’ll never forget it,” said Devi. “His visit is a great boost for Bradford - City of Culture,” added fellow student Vivek Pillai.

Wilfredo Uberas, wearing a Union Jack hat, also shook hands with the King. Said Wilfredo: “I put my alarm on last night to make sure I came here early to make it to the front. I said: ‘Hello Sir’ and he said: ‘Hello, are you alright?’ He was very friendly.”

Some of the crowd had waited hours for a glimpse of the King. “We were among the first here,” said Haley Gartland, at the front barrier with her mum, sisters and their children, Bodhi, two, Jorgie, eight and Darcie, six. “The children begged to come. I saw him when he came to Bradford over 40 years ago when I was six, I’ve always remembered it. I was Brackenhall School, the whole school went out to cheers him and wave flags. Now our kids get to see him too.”

Pupils from Carlton Mills Primary School were excited as the King was about to arrive. “It will be cool to see him so close,” said Hafsa, 11. “I’ve never seen anyone from the Royal family before. I’m glad my first one is the King,” added Aleeza, 11. Deputy headteacher Rishi Seedher said: “It’s a massive boost for Bradford, especially with our City of Culture title.”

Shipley College tutor Aiya Ahmed, who brought a group of students with learning difficulties, said: “We had a Platinum Jubilee party and talked about the Royal family. The students said they’d like to meet a royal, and here we are! It feels like being part of history.”

Two-year-old Alessandra waved her flag sitting on the shoulders of her grandad, Ian Atkinson. “What an opportunity to bring her to see the King,” said Ian’s wife Carol. “It’s fantastic that he is here in Yorkshire.”

Janette Heaton from Baildon said: “That he has chosen to come here on his first royal visit as King is wonderful. It brings people together. I saw him when he came to Bradford before, I was a nursery nurse at Great Horton and we took the children out to wave, but it was only a passing glimpse.”

Jaz Kaur, who was with her sister Christine, said: “We went to London for the Queen’s funeral, which was emotional. But this is a happy occasion - so uplifting for Bradford.”

“You don’t get many opportunities to see the King. It feels special to be here,” said Kaaren Raistrick, with pals Jennifer Pulling and Ruth Holt. Added Jennifer: “My husband met Charles on a previous Bradford visit - he spoke to him at Illingworth Morris and they gave him a suit length for Diana.”

Catherine Gardiner, who was with her daughters, three-month-old Alice and Sophie, two, and mum Gillian Simpson, said: “It’s great for Bradford that he’s here. It feels like history.”

As His Majesty left City Hall, the bells played On Ilkley Moor Bah t’At. It had been a rousing start to the new King’s two-day Yorkshire tour.