Denzel Washington Tells King’s Security ‘I Make My Own Rules’

denzel washington shaking hands with king charles

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While there might not be any kings in America, there are titans (this can be a Remember The Titans pun if you’d like it to be), and that’s exactly what iconic actor Denzel Washington is. Washington is such a legend that he’s probably one of the only people in the world who could get away with making the British monarchy wait on him.

On Wednesday night, the London premiere of Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated film Gladiator II was held at the famed Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, England, and was such a big event that even King Charles was in attendance.

According to a fan who was on the red carpet for the premiere, when Denzel Washington was told by security that he had to go inside because King Charles had arrived, Washington stated that he “makes his own rules” and continued to talk with the crowd of fans.

“Telling an American to go inside because the ‘king is here’ is hilarious. We don’t give a f— about the monarchy [eagle screeches],” said a viral response to the original post about Denzel that’s racked up over one million views on X, formerly Twitter.

The beloved two-time Academy Award-winning actor also had a bit of an awkward greeting with King Charles, telling him as they shook hands “I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab your hand or not.”

“I’m, just an awful… I’m a lovely man you’ll see. I’m a lovely chap,” Washington told King Charles about his role as Macrinus is Gladiator II.

“You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic,” Charles said, to which a humble Washington responded, “Thank you, thank you.”

Gladiator II, which stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, and  Connie Nielsen alongside Washington, hits theaters on Friday, November 22.

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