Idris Elba recently shared a lighthearted moment with King Charles at the actor’s alma mater, where Elba jokingly suggested they perform an improvisation together. The delightful interaction became one of the highlights of the royal visit.
Idris Elba meets King Charles at his alma mater
King Charles and Queen Camilla recently visited Barking & Dagenham College’s Rush Green campus in Romford, Idris Elba’s alma mater. The Luther star joined the royal couple during their visit and also shared a playful moment with the monarch on stage.
According to The Mirror, King Charles met with production students during the visit. The sovereign even called out “action” and helped begin filming by snapping a clapperboard. The students presented a production with a stunning, virtually created woodland background lit by LED. The monarch also reportedly gushed about Elba to the students, calling the actor a “real inspiration.”
At one point, Elba jokingly offered the King, “(I) was hoping Your Majesty that we could do an improvisation together.” The monarch laughed and replied, “Oh yes, of course.” However, the improvisation ultimately did not happen.
The playful interaction comes two months after Idris Elba received a knighthood from King Charles in the 2026 New Year Honours for his services to young people. He has led an anti-knife crime initiative and has co-founded the Elba Hope Foundation with his wife, Sabrina (via BBC).
The Golden Globe-winning actor is also a Goodwill Ambassador for The King’s Trust, one of the monarch’s personal charities. Elba had previously credited the trust for aiding him at the beginning of his career when he was 18.
Meanwhile, fans are eager to see Elba back on screen in the upcoming movies Masters of the Universe and Children of Blood and Bone. He is also set to reprise his role as John Luther in the sequel to Luther: The Fallen Sun from the eponymous franchise.
