The King received a formal welcome at his Balmoral royal residence, which features the castle’s adorable mascot, as well as an official official welcome to the King’s summer break.
King Charles has arrived at Balmoral for the start of his summer holiday – and was treated to an official welcome.
Dressed in a tweed jacket and a kilt in keeping with Scottish tradition, the King inspected a Guard of Honour formed of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland during a small ceremony outside the Balmoral Castle Gates.
He was also greeted by their mascot, Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV, who has been in the role since October 2012, and is known for his cheeky antics at high-profile ceremonial events. Despite his previous stunts, the pony was on his best behaviour for the King today. It came as it emerged Prince Harry placed a secret letter at royal event in major attempt to heal the bitter feud.
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The savage pony once bit into one of the late Queen’s flower bouquet’s gloves while trying to pet him with his wife Meghan and then bit Prince Harry’s fingers.
After the official ceremony, Charles met with royal supporters who had gathered outside the castle gates and shook hands with visitors in the sunshine.
Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to remain in Balmoral until mid-September, when they will return to Windsor for Donald Trump ’s US state visit. Until royal duties resume in several weeks, the King and Queen will spend quality time with their families in Scotland. The King is expected to attend the Braemar Games at the start of September.
Balmoral Castle, located near Aberdeen, has long been the destination of choice for the royal family to spend their summer breaks. The late Queen made the annual trip up north to enjoy a multi-week getaway. It is also where she passed away on September 8, 2022, and her coffin departed the estate on September 11, as it began its final journey back to London and then to Windsor Castle.
Balmoral is widely believed to be the late Queen’s favorite residence, according to Princess Eugenie, the granddaughter of the late Queen. She reportedly adores the Highlands a lot.
“Walks, picnics, dogs —a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs—and people coming in and out all the time,” Eugenie continued. “It’s a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa, for us to come and see them up there, where you just have room to breathe and run.”
While at Balmoral, the royals “act as normal people—to a point,” Lord Lichfield, a former photographer for the family, said in 1972. “Lunch is always outdoors and they are outside every day going on expeditions.”
The first home at Balmoral was reportedly built in 1390, but the property didn’t come into the British royal family’s possession until 1852, when Prince Albert purchased the estate as a gift for his wife, Queen Victoria, who loved the Scottish countryside.
However, the royal couple added a second castle to accommodate their growing family when the house was determined to be too small. The other building was torn down in 1856, and the new structure was finished. The estate’s 50, 000-acre estate currently has 150 buildings total.
Source: Mirror
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