The King, wearing his kilt, is captured in a fresh image as he commences his summer retreat in Scotland to pay tribute to his cherished grandmother. During the initial week of August, Charles resides at the Castle and Gardens of Mey in Caithness, located in the northernmost part of Scotland, coinciding with the Queen Mother’s birthday celebration. While there, he planted a rose named the King’s Rose, specially bred by David Austin Roses in collaboration with The King’s Foundation and dedicated to him, in the castle’s Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden.
The King’s Rose has been introduced at other locations managed by The King’s Foundation, including Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire. The Castle and Gardens of Mey, a beloved residence of the late Queen Mother since 1952, has been a significant location for the royal family. The estate is now under the management of The King’s Foundation, overseeing various green spaces with personal significance to the King, and will be open for public tours starting August 12.
Recently, King Charles hosted a special reception at the Castle of Mey for the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, commemorating the group’s 50th anniversary. During the event, the King shared his harrowing experience of surviving a fatal avalanche in 1988 that claimed the life of his close friend, Major Hugh Lindsay. The King also attended the Mey Highland Games, where he enjoyed a glass of whisky. Clad in his traditional kilt, he engaged with attendees and participants at the Caithness event, where he serves as the Chieftain, succeeding his grandmother since 2002.
Witnessing the traditional tug o’ war and congratulating the winning firefighters, Charles also met with the Wounded Highlanders, a team of injured military veterans who partake in adaptive competitions at the Mey Highland Games annually. The event, held at the John O’Groats showground every first Saturday of August, attracts various groups and spectators.
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