His Majesty King Charles III is currently spending his summer in Scotland, staying at the Castle of Mey before hosting the annual royal holiday at Balmoral. Other high days and holidays are often spent at his much-cherished countryside home, Highgrove House, in Gloucestershire. His private retreat is currently subject to a hosepipe ban, under Thames Water jurisdiction; however, there's a special reason that part of the monarch's gardens are exempt.
Within the grounds, Charles grows produce for his shop and for use in his products, and this means that the grounds are used for business purposes and are therefore allowed to be watered with a hosepipe, to keep the produce alive.
© Finding Harmony: A King's VisionThe monarch sells chutney, marmalade and honey which all include ingredients from the wonderful gardens. He even sells gin, apple juice and whisky via the online shop and on-site store.
Other areas of the gardens that are just used for decorative purposes will have to be watered with watering cans though, as the rules will still apply.
© Chris Jackson, GettyThe hosepipe ban has been in place since 23 July, and it is unknown when it will end - their website reads: "We'll continue to monitor water levels and conditions across the region. This page will be updated whenever restrictions change. We'll lift the hosepipe ban as soon as conditions allow." The restriction rules state that customers should not use hosepipes, sprinklers or jet-washers.
Prince William and Princess Kate's exemption
© Getty ImagesOver in Windsor, Prince William and Princess Kate are also subject to the ban due to their postcode, but there's a different reason that their gardening team could be permitted to use a hosepipe amid the ban. "Trees planted within the last three years" are permitted to be watered with a hosepipe, according to the Thames Water website, and the fact William and Kate only moved into the property nine months ago means they could well have new trees in their garden to keep alive.
Alan Titchmarsh in hot water
Celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh has found himself in hot water as on Sunday he took to Facebook to post a video about hosepipes and the different parts of the hosepipe gun. The post struck a chord with his fans who found the content jarring amid the UK's drought. "Alan Titchmarch stating the obvious, except he does know that many parts of the UK have a hosepipe ban!," wrote one user, and: "One that you are banned from using!" added another.
