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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
King Charles officially kicks off Balmoral summer holiday with cheeky pony
The King has officially kicked off his summer break with an official welcome to his Balmoral royal residence featuring the castle's adorable mascot 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. The cheeky pony once took a chunk out of the late Queen's bouquet of flowers and bit right through one of her gloves, and also nibbled Prince Harry's fingers as he and his wife Meghan tried to pet him. After the official welcome ceremony, Charles took the time to meet with royal fans who had gathered at the castle gates, shaking hands with people 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 was widely believed to be the late Queen's favourite residence, as her granddaughter Princess Eugenie once said: "I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.' '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, when the residence was deemed too small, the royal couple built an additional castle—the one that still exists today—to fit their growing family. The new structure was completed in 1856, and the other building was torn down. Now, the 50,000-acre estate features 150 buildings in total.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
King begins Balmoral residency with military ceremony
The King greeted tourists from across Europe at the gates of Balmoral as he marked the official start of his summer residency in Scotland with a military ceremony involving a Shetland pony. On Monday morning, Charles arrived in the Aberdeenshire castle in his state Bentley and inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, as it stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart as the monarch inspected his Royal Guard. A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to Balmoral, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity. After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his relatively new King Charles III tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, May 6 2023, and is restricted for the exclusive use of the Royal Family members. The King greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C. Cruachan IV, the mascot since 2012, was wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and embellished with medals. The pony, which lives in Edinburgh, was on its best behaviour during an inspection by the King. A crowd of around 60 people waited to try to speak to Charles at the castle gates. Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said: 'Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and The Royal Household during their Summer Court in Scotland. 'It's a huge honour to command this parade today marking His Majesty's arrival at Balmoral, and we're looking forward to spending the coming months in Royal Deeside.' Pipe Major Davies, 2 SCOTS said: 'It is an honour to be taking part in this year's arrival parade at Balmoral. For the first time since the regiment's formation in 2006, members of 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS pipe bands are on parade for this high profile ceremonial event. 'As we are all taking part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the regiment's strong piping and drumming traditions, performing a colourful and musical spectacle for His Majesty and the public.' Drum Major Muir, 3 SCOTS said: 'It is always an honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Scotland, as our head of state we take great pride in welcoming him to Balmoral.'
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
King begins Balmoral residency with military ceremony
On Monday morning, Charles arrived in the Aberdeenshire castle in his state Bentley and inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, as it stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart as the monarch inspected his Royal Guard. A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to Balmoral, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity. After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his relatively new King Charles III tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, May 6 2023, and is restricted for the exclusive use of the Royal Family members. The King greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C. Cruachan IV, the mascot since 2012, was wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and embellished with medals. The pony, which lives in Edinburgh, was on its best behaviour during an inspection by the King. A crowd of around 60 people waited to try to speak to Charles at the castle gates. Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said: 'Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and The Royal Household during their Summer Court in Scotland. 'It's a huge honour to command this parade today marking His Majesty's arrival at Balmoral, and we're looking forward to spending the coming months in Royal Deeside.' Pipe Major Davies, 2 SCOTS said: 'It is an honour to be taking part in this year's arrival parade at Balmoral. For the first time since the regiment's formation in 2006, members of 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS pipe bands are on parade for this high profile ceremonial event. 'As we are all taking part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the regiment's strong piping and drumming traditions, performing a colourful and musical spectacle for His Majesty and the public.' Drum Major Muir, 3 SCOTS said: 'It is always an honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Scotland, as our head of state we take great pride in welcoming him to Balmoral.'
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
King begins Balmoral residency with military ceremony
On Monday morning, Charles arrived in the Aberdeenshire castle in his state Bentley and inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, as it stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart as the monarch inspected his Royal Guard. A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to Balmoral, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity. The King inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral (Jane Barlow/PA) After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his relatively new King Charles III tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, May 6 2023, and is restricted for the exclusive use of the Royal Family members. The King greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C. Cruachan IV, the mascot since 2012, was wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and embellished with medals. The pony, which lives in Edinburgh, was on its best behaviour during an inspection by the King. The King chatted to members of the public at the gates of Balmoral (Jane Barlow/PA) A crowd of around 60 people waited to try to speak to Charles at the castle gates. Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said: 'Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and The Royal Household during their Summer Court in Scotland. 'It's a huge honour to command this parade today marking His Majesty's arrival at Balmoral, and we're looking forward to spending the coming months in Royal Deeside.' Pipe Major Davies, 2 SCOTS said: 'It is an honour to be taking part in this year's arrival parade at Balmoral. For the first time since the regiment's formation in 2006, members of 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS pipe bands are on parade for this high profile ceremonial event. 'As we are all taking part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the regiment's strong piping and drumming traditions, performing a colourful and musical spectacle for His Majesty and the public.' Drum Major Muir, 3 SCOTS said: 'It is always an honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Scotland, as our head of state we take great pride in welcoming him to Balmoral.'
STV News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
King Charles meets Shetland pony at Balmoral military ceremony
The King greeted tourists from across Europe at the gates of Balmoral as he marked the official start of his summer residency in Scotland with a military ceremony involving a Shetland pony. On Monday morning, Charles arrived in the Aberdeenshire castle in his state Bentley and inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony, as it stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart as the monarch inspected his Royal Guard. A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to Balmoral, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity. After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. PA Media The King inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral (Jane Barlow/PA) Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his relatively new King Charles III tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, May 6 2023, and is restricted for the exclusive use of the Royal Family members. The King greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C. Cruachan IV, the mascot since 2012, was wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and embellished with medals. The pony, which lives in Edinburgh, was on its best behaviour during an inspection by the King. A crowd of around 60 people waited to try to speak to Charles at the castle gates. PA Media The King chatted to members of the public at the gates of Balmoral (Jane Barlow/PA) Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said: 'Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and The Royal Household during their Summer Court in Scotland. 'It's a huge honour to command this parade today marking His Majesty's arrival at Balmoral, and we're looking forward to spending the coming months in Royal Deeside.' Pipe Major Davies, 2 SCOTS said: 'It is an honour to be taking part in this year's arrival parade at Balmoral. For the first time since the regiment's formation in 2006, members of 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS pipe bands are on parade for this high profile ceremonial event. 'As we are all taking part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the regiment's strong piping and drumming traditions, performing a colourful and musical spectacle for His Majesty and the public.' Drum Major Muir, 3 SCOTS said: 'It is always an honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Scotland, as our head of state we take great pride in welcoming him to Balmoral.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
