King Charles II visits Worcester Guildhall's selfie stand

King Charles II cut an ostentatious dash in his full royal regalia as he returned to the city on Saturday, dwarfed by the 7ft selfie stand made in his image.

This time the head-turning king showed no desire to escape the city or secrete himself in an oak tree and was content to tarry outside Worcester Guildhall and meet and greet visitors and locals alike, elaborating on the city's rich and sometimes troubled history. 

The flamboyant king, played by Daniel Williams, gave the Royal seal of approval to Worcester's Tourist Information Centre in the Guildhall between noon and 2.30pm in his royal mission to put the city on every history buff's map.

MAJESTY: Charles II (Daniel Williams) had a chance to examine the statue of himself at Worcester Guildhall (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Charles II, then a not-so-merry monarch, fled the Battle of Worcester after the Royalists were defeated by Cromwell's army on September 3, 1651, making an epic escape which ultimately paved the way for his Restoration.

The route is still immortalised in the Monarch's Way which begins in Worcester with guides available at the tourist information centre to allow visitors to follow, quite literally, in the swashbuckling king's footsteps.

The passionate re-enactor expanded upon the city's rich English Civil War history and was happy to pose for selfies with visitors by a giant 7ft selfie stand.

PASSION: Ruth Smith (left) manager of Worcester Tourist Information Centre and Daniel Williams (Charles II) share a passion for Worcester's history and putting the city on the map as a destination for visitors (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mr Williams dresses as both Charles I and Charles II. With him was the King's Dresser, Tony Western, who helped create his authentic-looking costume as a hobby.

Mr Williams often visits King Chares House in New Street in Worcester, famous for its role in the king's escape, rolling back the years and giving the owner 'something of a shock' when he took a seat upstairs by the window.

"I feel I have been embraced by the people of the city. The history brings people together. The history of Worcester needs trumpeting. When I'm in the Guildhall I can feel the history coming from the building," he said.

PRESENCE: Daniel Williams (Charles II) proved an enthusiastic ambassador for Worcester Tourist Information Centre as he stood next to his giant 7ft selfie stand outside Worcester Guildhall (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Ruth Smith, the manager of Worcester Tourist Information Centre, asked the 7ft tall selfie stand to be created and she said Mr Williams had helped visitors engage with the city's history.

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"It is something we are passionate about. We made the selfie stand incredibly tall so people will see it," she said.

Mr Williams from Sutton Coldfield said he always received a warm welcome as Charles II in Worcester.

A few people told him to 'watch his head', prompting a gentle Royal reminder that it was his father, Charles I, who was beheaded.

He also spoke of his shock at hearing of the partial collapse of Powick Old Bridge at the end of January. The medieval bridge was the site of the opening skirmish of the English Civil War, the Battle of Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642. The bridge was also significant in the much more portentous Battle of Worcester itself nearly a decade later.

"I'm hoping that something can be done to keep this particular piece of history here for everybody as a reminder of the events that happened," he said.