Denzel Washington Says He "Makes His Own Rules" When Told to Meet King Charles at 'Gladiator II' Premiere

"I didn't know if I was supposed to grab you or not."

Denzel Washington wears a black suit while shaking hands with King Charles who is wearing a tuxedo
(Image credit: Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

King Charles was a special guest at the London premiere of Gladiator II on Wednesday, Nov. 13. All of the film's stars were in attendance, including Oscar-winner Denzel Washington. And according to fans, the Training Day star said something hilarious before meeting The King.

One fan who was at the premiere and met Washington on the red carpet shared their account of the evening on X. "fun fact denzel was told to go inside because the king was here but he told security 'i make my own rules' and continued to talk to us," the individual wrote. Another person was quick to respond, writing, "As Denzel should. He’s the true king!"

After making sure he'd spoken to fans on the red carpet, Washington made his way inside to speak to King Charles. Still, it's pretty incredible that the Fences star wanted to give his fans his utmost attention, despite being told to meet the monarch.

Denzel Washington wears a black suit as he meets King Charles, who is wearing a tuxedo, at the London premiere of Gladiator II

Denzel Washington and King Charles III at the Gladiator II premiere on Nov. 13.

(Image credit: EDDIE MULHOLLAND/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))

While promoting the blockbuster sequel, Washington shared that a pivotal scene had been cut from the movie. "I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken," Washington told Gayety. He continued, "I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren't ready for that yet. I killed him about five minutes later."

While speaking to Empire, Washington also revealed why he decided to sign on for Gladiator II. "There are very few films left for me to make that I'm interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley [Scott]," he explained.

Pedro Pascal wears a black suit with no shirt underneath while he shakes hands with King Charles, who is wearing a tuxedo

(Image credit: Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

King Charles attended the Gladiator II premiere solo, as wife Queen Camilla was still recovering from a chest infection. Earlier that day, the pair celebrated the Film and TV Charity's 100th anniversary at a reception at Buckingham Palace.

During the event, Charles admitted being "moved to tears" by Queen Camilla's new documentary, Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which highlights her work with domestic violence charities.

At the reception, Queen Camilla had a candid conversation with Paddington in Peru actress Emily Mortimer. When Emily said that her mother, Penelope, sent her love to The Queen, Camilla enquired about her friend's well-being. Emily revealed that "Penny" was still smoking cigarettes, which led Camilla to share that she'd quit the habit 20 years prior.

Amy Mackelden
Weekend Editor

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

Read more
Queen Camilla meets one of the Gladiators
Queen Camilla Had the Most Relatable Reaction to Meeting the "Least Dressed Man" at a Buckingham Palace Event
David and Victoria Beckham looking on as Helen Mirren, in a green lace gown, talks to Queen Camilla in a blue evening dress
Why The King and Queen Invited Stanley Tucci, David Beckham and Helen Mirren to a Glitzy Royal Dinner
King Charles III and Queen Camilla meet British Muslim women at a female led restaurant and help pack donation boxes ahead of Ramadan, at Darjeeling Express, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street on February 26, 2025 in London, England
Why Queen Camilla Berated King Charles at Their Latest Joint Engagement
Prince Charles wearing khakis and a black blazer sitting on a sofa with green floral pillows in his living room with a table and lamp behind him
King Charles Once Proclaimed This Perk Was "The Only Benefit of Being Prince of Wales"
Jimmy Carter wears a tuxedo and holds hands with the Queen Mother, who is wearing a sparkly white and gold gown, alongside Prince Philip, who wears a tuxedo, and Queen Elizabeth II, who wears a bright yellow gown
The Truth Behind Rumors Jimmy Carter Kissed the Queen Mother on the Lips During His Buckingham Palace Visit in 1977
Prince Harry Visits The Caribbean - Day 11
32 Celebrities Who Got to Meet the British Royal Family
Latest in Royals
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Meghan Markle wears a white shirt and blue jeans while she carries daughter Princess Lilibet and hugs son Prince Archie
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
Latest in News
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Bella Hadid carries the Coach empire bag in New York City with a black mini dress
Bella Hadid Secures Coach's Must-Have Empire Bag, Just Like I Predicted She Would
Selena Gomez wears a cropped blazer and matching trousers while attending the Drew Barrymore show in New York City
Selena Gomez Is the Cropped Blazer Trend's Final Boss
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Rihanna in a head scarf and multiple necklaces
Rihanna’s Jamaica Manicure Will Unite the Caribbean
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope