GREENVILLE — If you’ve listened to one of the Rev. Richard Gibbons’ sermons, you’ll recognize him by his Scottish accent that hasn’t waned since his move to Greenville.

With nearly all his family still across the Atlantic 16 years later, the pastor at downtown Greenville's First Presbyterian Church never knew when he might return to Scotland. As it turns out, a special opportunity to meet the British Royal Family drew him home.

This past weekend, when Gibbons served as a guest minister for newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla, he said he knew he was in for an unforgettable moment.

“It’s that kind of surreal experience when you have someone you admire, and then they’re standing right in front of you,” Gibbons told The Post and Courier Aug. 22.

Gibbons, longtime pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, was invited by the domestic chaplain to the Royal Family, Kenneth MacKenzie, to participate in a service and preach at Crathie Parish Church.

MacKenzie met Gibbons nearly three decades ago while they were in the same Scottish city and reached out to invite him to the Scottish highlands.

“Of course, immediately I said yes,” Gibbons said. “They ask you not to tell anyone, and they keep it very confidential.”

After his service, he had the opportunity to meet his majesty one-on-one at Balmoral Castle.

“He was very interested in Greenville, BMW, Michelin, why there has been all of this growth,” Gibbons said of his conversation with Charles, where they spoke about “everything and nothing.”

“You imagine it’s all very formal," he said, "but it’s the very opposite. He could not have been more welcoming."

Balmoral Castle is the Scottish home of the Royal Family and had served as a typical summer retreat for the late Queen Elizabeth II. This past weekend’s visit was the first for Charles since Elizabeth’s death there.