King Charles has headed to Scotland to start his summer break, and he was recently in Caithness in the Scottish Highlands. During his time there, he stayed at the Castle of Mey, as he traditionally does in late July and early August.
On this occasion, the King made a new addition to the home, planting the King's Rose in the gardens, which were previously cultivated by his late grandmother, the Queen Mother. Charles was pictured in the Walled Garden at the castle, which is located by the Pink Arbor.
In images from the King's Foundation, Charles was seen in a tweed jacket and kilt, while he carried a walking stick that he often employs when on the uneven ground of Scotland. He was seen standing by a vase that carried the King's Rose, which was bred by David Austin Roses and named in Charles' honour.
The semi-double, repeat-flowering shrub boasts delicately papery petals with distinct stripes in shades of fuchsia pink and white.
© PAThe Castle of Mey in Caithness was once home to the Queen Mother, and it has been widely reported that the late royal purchased the property for anywhere between £1 to £100 in 1952. She bought the property in the weeks after the death of her husband, King George VI, and was known to spend three weeks there each August and another 10 days in October.
The monarch inherited the property following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002. The property is now open to the public seven days a week between May and September, apart from when Charles and Queen Camilla are in residence.
Scottish holiday for the King
As is royal tradition, Charles is spending his summer break in Scotland. After his trip to the Castle of Mey, he is expected to head down to the Balmoral estate, where he will likely reunite with other members of the royal family.
On Saturday, he kicked off his summer break with a trip to the Mey Highland Games, where he was seen enjoying a dram of whisky.
The monarch, wearing his traditional kilt, was full of smiles as he watched several Highland sports – including tug-of-war between a group of firefighters, the stone put, and the caber toss.
The first Mey Games was held in the nearby village of Mey in 1970 to celebrate the late Queen Mother’s 70th birthday. As the guest of honour, she declared the event a success and encouraged its organizers to make it an annual event. It now takes place each year at the John O'Groats showground on the first Saturday of August.
