King Charles praised superstar K-Pop girl group, Blackpink, for their work with environmental sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The King made the remarks during the State Banquet for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee at Buckingham Palace on 21 November.

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Blackpink members Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé were guests at the banquet as King Charles spoke of Korea’s work in protecting the environment.

He then praised the girl group for their work in sustainability: “It is especially inspiring to see Korea’s younger generation embrace the cause. I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, better known collectively as BLACKPINK, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as Ambassadors for the U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars.”

Attendance at the State Banquet had to be particularly special for Australian member Rosé, as Charles is also the King of Australia. Jennie and Jisoo are from Korea, while member Lisa is from Thailand.

Blackpink was chosen as UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates in 2021 alongside Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar.

King Charles praised many aspects of Korean culture during his banquet speech, expressing his delight in the artistry that has come from the Asian country. He said the country has matched British movies like James Bond and musicians like the Beatles with their own successes, Squid Game and music powerhouse BTS.

The King also joked that he would never live up to famous Korean monarch King Sejong, who created the Korean alphabet, Hangul: “I fear, though, that I am unlikely ever to follow in King Sejong’s footsteps and create a whole new alphabet!”

The President and First Lady of Korea are on a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, which will conclude on 23 November, to mark 140 years of British-Korean relations.