Choir boys who shook hands with the king . Six boys , sons of Irish Guardsmen , who are members of the Irish Guards ' choir , achieved the ambition of their lives when they shook hands with the King . The king was visiting the chapel after inspecting the 1 battalion of the Irish Guards at Chelsea Barracks . After shaking hands each of the boys the King expressed admiration for their neat turn out in purple cassocks with white ruffs . Photo shows , four of the choir boys at the Chelsea Barracks chapel ., Horace Warner , Terry Warner , Michael Kirckwood and Joseph O ' Connell . 7 May 1936 *** Local Caption ***