King Charles and Corporal Cruachan IV at welcome to Balmoral Castle on August 21, 2023.Photo:Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
King Charlesreceived an official welcome toBalmoral Castlein Scotland.
The King, 74, was welcomed to the royal residence on Monday with a small ceremony outside the castle gates. King Charles, who was recently announced as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, inspected a Guard of Honour of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Pipes and Drums of 4 SCOTS performed at the ceremony.
In what has become another royal tradition, King Charles met Corporal Cruachan IV — a Shetland pony who serves as the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The King exchanged a few words with the pony’s handler and even gave Cruachan a pet on the nose — but the mascot isn’t always on his best behavior in the presence of monarchs.
King Charles and Corporal Cruachan IV at Balmoral Castle on August 21, 2023.Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
In 2018, the ponyrelieved himself during the ceremonial welcome to Balmoral Castle, causing Queen Elizabeth to turn away and shield her nose from the smell with her hand.
Queen Elizabeth once quipped, “Here we are again,” upon seeing the pony.
Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle in August 2018.Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty
Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty
At Monday’s ceremony, King Charles wore traditional Scottish garb, including a kilt, knee socks and a sporran (a pouch — after all, kilts traditionally don’t have pockets!).
The King was also spotted chatting with members of the public who came to see the official welcome.
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King Charles welcomed to Balmoral Castle on August 21, 2023.Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
On Thursday, Balmoral Castleannouncedthat the grounds, gardens and exhibitions of the estatewere now closed to the public, hinting that King Charles,Queen Camillaand other members of the royal family would be gathering at the residence in the coming weeks.
Returning to Balmoral will no doubt be bittersweet for members of the royal family this year. In addition to holding special memories through the years, Queen Elizabethdied at age 96at her beloved summer residence on Sept. 8, 2022 — just days after herfinal royal duty.
King Charles and Queen Camilla, 76, are expected tospend the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death privately, just as Queen Elizabeth used to do on her ownAccession Day.
Prince WilliamandKate Middleton’s summer will almost certainly include atrip to Scotlandwith their three children:Prince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5. Just as Prince William did as a boy, his kids will likely splash in the River Dee while exploring the outdoors at the expansive rural estate before returning to school next month.
Prince William and Princess Kate, both 41, also have a special spot in their hearts for Scotland, as it’s where they first met as college students at the University of St. Andrews.
Prince William previouslystatedthat “the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep.”
source: people.com
