For many, Sir Mo Farah’s unforgettable gold medal victories at the London 2012 Olympic Games are etched in memory, along with his signature ‘Mobot’ celebration—a pose that quickly became a global symbol of triumph. Although Farah has since retired from competitive running, he remains in the spotlight, now showcasing his football talents at Old Trafford as part of the Soccer Aid charity event.
Amid the many fans tuning in to watch the 42-year-old athlete, King Charles III himself has expressed admiration and fondness for Farah on several occasions. One particularly memorable moment occurred at the 2012 Pride of Britain Awards, where the King surprised attendees by imitating the ‘Mobot’ on stage—raising his arms and joining his hands above his head to form the letter M, echoing Farah’s iconic celebration.
This charming gesture gave a refreshing glimpse into the King’s approachable and fun-loving side, breaking from the usual expectation of royal solemnity. While presenting the award, King Charles remarked, “I’m proud of the British spirit at home and around the world. You’d be amazed at the number of letters I have had from people abroad and heads of state congratulating people of this country in doing something so remarkable and with such style. I am also so proud of Team GB.”
READ MORE: James Martin Voices Concerns Over Hospitality Industry Struggles
He continued to celebrate British teamwork and spirit: “So let us build on this legacy and remind ourselves for once how special this country is when individuals operate as part of a team and let’s just remember how good the British are at organising things. In the words of Carly Simon in the song for the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, which I can never get out of my head, ‘Nobody Does it Better.’”
Their warm rapport extended beyond this event. In 2013, when Farah was awarded his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) following his Olympic triumphs, he fondly recalled a humorous exchange with the then Prince Charles: “Prince Charles said: ‘You must be getting sick of so many medals.’ To hear someone like the Prince of Wales knows who you are is just brilliant. I’m not tired, I just want to make my country proud and collect as many medals in my career as I can.”
Farah also reminisced about his childhood memories involving Buckingham Palace: “I remember running past it in the mini-marathon as a kid when I was 13 and thinking it was so beautiful and taking pictures of the lion, so coming inside and receiving this award is great.”
As he swaps running shoes for football boots, Farah is set to play at the renowned Theatre of Dreams this Sunday at 7.30pm. He’ll be joining a star-studded lineup including football legends Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, Steph Houghton, and Tony Duggan, alongside celebrities such as Bear Grylls and Tom Grennan. Their team will face off against an equally formidable squad featuring Euro 2020 champion Leonardo Bonucci, Nemanja Vidic, boxing star Tony Bellew, and Baby Reindeer actor Richard Gadd.
This event underscores the enduring connection between King Charles and figures like Farah, united by their shared pride in British talent and a spirit of camaraderie that extends beyond the world of sports.