12 hours ago
In pictures: King Charles begins summer stay at Balmoral
The King has marked the start of his summer residency at Balmoral with a military ceremony involving a Shetland pony.
King Charles inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV as the animal stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart.
A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to the Aberdeenshire castle, 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 - in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
King Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his new tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, 6 May 2023.
The monarch greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C (73F).
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.
