Denzel Washington appeared starstruck as he shook hands with King Charles III at the Gladiator II premiere at London’s Leicester Square. The King, attending the screening at the Odeon Luxe Theatre solo on the eve of his 76th birthday, spoke with director Sir Ridley Scott, 86, and members of the cast on the red carpet.

Denzel Washington experienced an awkward encounter with King Charles III during the London premiere of "Gladiator II."

Actor Denzel Washington told Gayety that he had a kiss in the movie, but it was ultimately cut from the final print. “I actually kissed the man in the film, but they took it, they cut it, I think they got chicken,