Thorpe's Confrontation With King Charles

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Post on Oct 22, 2024

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Thorpe's Confrontation With King Charles: A Moment of Royal Tension

Remember that time you had a super awkward encounter with your boss? Imagine that, but with the King of England. That's basically what happened to former Olympian, Ian Thorpe, in 2013.

Thorpe, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, was attending a reception at Buckingham Palace. While there, he encountered King Charles III (he was still Prince Charles back then). Now, Thorpe was there representing the Australian Olympic Committee, but also because he was a newly appointed Member of the Order of Australia, a pretty big deal.

The Royal Awkwardness

According to Thorpe, the encounter was, let's say, tense. He felt the King was not overly thrilled about his appointment. In fact, Charles made his feelings pretty clear. He told Thorpe, "I hear you're a very good swimmer," but his tone was so icy that it basically felt like a passive-aggressive comment.

Ouch, right? It's easy to see why the encounter would feel awkward.

Thorpe was understandably confused. He'd just been given one of the highest civilian honors in Australia, and the King was acting... well, a little standoffish.

What Was The Deal?

So, why the frosty reception? It seems that the King had some reservations about Thorpe's past. He had previously faced allegations of drug use, and the King was known for his strict moral code. This, according to some sources, might be why the King wasn't as enthusiastic as one might expect.

Thorpe has always denied those drug allegations, though he did admit to a period of depression and substance abuse in 2014. So, the King's reaction might've been a bit premature.

An Unsolved Mystery

The real reason for the chilly encounter remains unclear. Thorpe, for his part, has kept the details pretty vague. However, the incident highlights the fact that even kings can be, well, awkward.

The story also serves as a reminder that even the most successful athletes have their share of struggles, and sometimes, even the highest honors can't escape the shadow of past controversies.