King Charles looked dashing today in a traditional kilt as he arrived in Scotland in preparation to take up residence at Balmoral Castle.
Upon arriving at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire on Monday, the King paused to inspect the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland as well as their mascot Shetland pony, before readying for a his summer residence in the castle.
During the inspection, Charles has the pleasure of greeting the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the cheeky Shetland pony, Cruachan IV.
Charles donned a traditional kilt complete with shades of purple, green and brown, alongside a matching tie, immaculately polished boots and natural red stockings.
The look was completed with a tweed blazer and waistcoat and a sporran pouch traditionally worn as part of Scottish Highland dress.
+19
View gallery
King Charles arrived at Balmoral castle today to commence his summer stay at the Scottish residence
+19
View gallery
The King pictured sharing a sweet moment with Shetland pony, Cruachan IV, (pictured) who is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Balmoral was the favourite home of the late Queen Elizabeth and where she died in September 2022. She spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle.
The King has decided to continue the tradition – and the trip comes as a well-earned break for the monarch after returning to public duties amid his ongoing treatment for cancer.
Upon arriving, the King enjoyed an adorable moment where he gave the Regiment’s mascot, Cruachan IV, a stroke on the nose.
The King reached a cautious arm out to the pony who proceeded to lift up his lip in an attempt to nibble his fingers – fortunately Charles’ escaped just in time.
Cruachan IV is a jet black shetland pony who was first presented to the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2012.
The petite Scottish pony donned his usual fineries – the four legged mascot is entitled to wear the operational medals awarded to the Regiment during his role.
He arrived from Clothie Stud in Dyce and was gifted to the regiment when he was four-years-old, later resulting in him having the nickname, Four.
After being presented to and approved by the queen, the adorable little pony undertook his first official engagement in 2013.
+19
View gallery
The King reached a cautious arm out to the pony who proceeded to lift up his lip in an attempt to nibble his fingers – fortunately Charles’ escaped just in time
+19
View gallery
Charles donned a traditional kilt complete with shades of purple, green and brown, alongside a matching tie, immaculately polished boots and natural red stockings
+19
View gallery
The King The completed the look with a tweed blazer and waistcoat and a sporran pouch traditionally worn as part of Scottish Highland dress
+19
View gallery
Pictured: Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, before an inspection by King Charles
+19
View gallery
Members of The Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion awaited inspection from the King of England
+19
View gallery
The Royal Regiment of Scotland greeted the king upon his arrival at Balmoral castle
Cruachan is often seen at the head of many of the Regiment’s ceremonial events as well as serving as a regular visitor to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Royal Guard at Balmoral.
The cheeky pony had met the late Queen on a number of occasions including a few in which a brazen Cruachan made a grab to nibble on Her Majesty’s flowers.
In 2017, the cheeky chap made a beeline for the queen’s flowers as she walked past though he was quickly put in his place by the firm voice of Elizabeth who exclaimed ‘he always eats the flowers’ before giving him an affectionate scratch on the muzzle.
At another meeting in 2018, Cruachan managed to restrain himself in front of the late queen, leaving her flowers untouched. ]
When not dressed in his fineries to serve as the Scottish regiment’s mascot, Cruachan can be found with his companion and fellow Shetland pony, Nightcap.
The two live Redford Barracks in Edinburgh where both are cared for by the Regiment’s Pony Major.
Yesterday, Charles and Camilla, 77, were snapped heading to Crathie Kirk – a regular place of worship for the royal family while staying at their summer residence in Scotland.
+19
View gallery
Charles looked smart in traditional Highlands wear as he arrived at Balmoral before taking up his summer residence in the castle
+19
View gallery
The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals march before King Charles inspects the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion
+19
View gallery
Members of the public gathered to watch the royal inspection as Charles arrived at the estate in Scotland
+19
View gallery
Charles greeted members of the public upon his arrival
+19
View gallery
Charles pictured greeting Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals
+19
View gallery
The King is currently on his summer break but has been updated daily on the unrest in the country and recently spoke out to praise people’s ‘resilience’ in countering aggression
The King is currently on his summer break but has been updated daily on the unrest in the country and recently spoke out to praise people’s ‘resilience’ in countering aggression.
The arrival to Scotland comes amid tensions with his brother.
The Duke of York may have been set an autumn deadline to leave Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The ultimatum has come from the monarch, who has long been trying to his disgraced younger brother out of the property with previous reports claiming he wants to rent it out for £1million a year.
However, Andrew has been reluctant to do so, having signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved in in 2003 on condition of making a £1million down payment and paying £260,000-a-year in rent.
There is also the added complication of much-needed repairs to the buildings on the property, some of which have fallen into disrepair and the bill for renovations already rising to £7million.
Charles’s overtures to get Andrew to leave appear to have taken a new twist after it was reported he had told his brother’s security team their services will no longer be required.
The monarch has been funding private guards at the mansion since Andrew’s armed cops – costing £3million a year – were removed in 2022 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
+19
View gallery
Charles looked smart as he completed the inspection
+19
View gallery
The King stood proudly while observing the playing of the national anthem
+19
View gallery
The King has decided to continue the tradition of a royal summer stay in Balmoral – and the trip comes as a well-earned break for the monarch after returning to public duties amid his ongoing treatment for cancer
+19
View gallery
Balmoral was the favourite home of the late Queen Elizabeth and where she died in September 2022. She spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle
+19
View gallery
Charles stood and observed during the National Anthem before inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
A Palace insider told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Everyone is speculating this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be to take his security away?’
The source added that the team have not left their roles straight away, but will continue to work until their contract expires at the end of October, with no replacement lined up.
They added: ‘It isn’t a secret that the King wants him out.’
The same publication reported earlier this year that Charles could even cut off Andrew from the £4million-a-year he gives his younger brother to stay afloat.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Andrew had rejected the opportunity to move to Frogmore Cottage, which is nearby and used to be the UK home of Harry and Meghan.
The King is reportedly eager to generate commercial revenue from the mansion as soon as he can boot out the Duke.
Andrew – who remains an outcast from public life amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile Epstein – has reportedly already spent nearly £7million carrying out extensive renovations and repairs to the property.
He has refused all requests by his brother to move into the smaller Frogmore Cottage.
Andrew downsizing to live at Frogmore Cottage would make a significant saving, with friends of the King saying he would continue to pay for mobile security, but would not have to provide static security for the building.
Despite his possible money worries, sources close to the Duke said back in January: ‘Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.’
News
Adele Announces Indefinite Break From Music: “I Will Not See You For An Incredibly Long Time”
Adele has revealed she is ready to step out of the spotlight and take a well-deserved break. After an impressive run of live performances, the beloved British songstress is preparing to hit pause on her music career for a while. During…
Johnny Depp’s New Pearly Whites Shine In Video After His “Rotting” Teeth Went Viral
Johnny Depp seemed like he was living his best life while vacationing in the Bahamas, smiling and laughing away with customers and staffers at a beachside bar in Exuma. But it wasn’t just his laid-back island vibes that caught people’s attention: it was…
Queen Camilla Shares Rare Update On King Charles’ Health Amid Abdication Speculations
Amid rampant speculation about King Charles III’s health and possible abdication, Queen Camilla offered a rare comment on her husband’s well-being. The 77-year-old queen shared the update during her visit to the new state-of-the-art Dyson Cancer Center at the Royal United Hospital in…
Katy Perry Reveals Orlando Bloom Split Up With Her Because He Didn’t Want To Play Her “Games”
“I would be dead without it,” Katy Perry said about a monumental shift in her life after she broke up with her current fiancé, Orlando Bloom. The separation, which took place in 2017, happened due to an incompatibility between the lifestyles of both…
Dave Bautista’s Weight-Loss Transformation Has Fans Concerned: “He Most Definitely Looks Sick”
Dave Bautista recently addressed his striking body transformation, which left some fans raising eyebrows over his leaner appearance. The 55-year-old former WWE superstar has come a long way since his days in the wrestling ring, where his massive frame made him a force to…
“Fine Taylor … You Win”: Elon Musk Offers To Impregnate Taylor Swift
Elon Musk, who always seems eager to expand his ever-growing family, proposed the idea of fatherhood to none other than Taylor Swift. The billionaire Tesla CEO offered to impregnate the pop star after she shared her thoughts on the U.S. presidential debate, which…
End of content
No more pages to load