King Charles is about to kick off his summer holiday at Balmoral – and he visibly can't wait. The monarch was the picture of glee as he met locals in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands on Friday, as the town celebrates 800 years since being granted Royal Burgh status.
Dressed in a traditional tartan kilt, complete with a sporran, the monarch beamed with his joy as he met volunteers, community groups, young people and emergency service representatives who embody the creative and community spirit of the town.
© Royal Family
During his visit, King Charles presented the King's Award for Voluntary Service to representatives of Evanton Wood Community Company, and Highland and Island Blood Bikes.
He also enjoyed performances from local music groups and Highland Dancers, which visibly delighted him.
Taking to Instagram to sum up the special day, the monarch's social media team shared some of the highlights alongside a message thanking the local community for being such good sports. "Thank you to everyone who came to say hello!," it read.
© Royal FamilyKing Charles arrives in Scotland
Last weekend, it was confirmed that the monarch had left England and was making his way to Balmoral. He began with a trip to the Mey Highland Games, where he was seen getting into the spirit by enjoying a dram of whisky.
Charles also visited Caithness in the Scottish Highlands, staying at the Castle of Mey, as he traditionally does in late July and early August.
© Royal FamilyHe was pictured planting the King's Rose in the gardens, which were previously cultivated by his late grandmother, the Queen Mother.
What's in store for King Charles and Queen Camilla's summer break?
Every year, King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla retreat to their 50,000-acre Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire to enjoy a break from their relentless royal schedules.
© Royal FamilyThe peaceful abode, the late Queen Elizabeth II's favourite, serves as a base to work from and spend quality time with the wider family, away from the pressure of public-facing engagements.
King Charles is able to indulge in his favourite pastimes, including long hikes in the moors, fly-fishing along the River Dee, and painting watercolours of the beautiful surroundings.
Charles and Queen Camilla typically stay at Birkhall, a grand 18th-century home on the Balmoral property, reserving the main castle for larger family gatherings.
© Royal FamilyOther members of the royal family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are expected to join them over the course of the next few weeks.
The annual getaway affords the family some much-needed privacy away from the spotlight and cameras.
What is Balmoral really like?
While we know snippets of what the royals get up to every year at Balmoral, including fun-filled family picnics and leisurely barbecues, the details of what it's really like are few and far between.
© Getty ImagesHowever, Prince Edward's ex-girlfriend, Ruthie Henshall, recently told HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast what staying at Balmoral with the royals is really like.
Informally known as the "Balmoral Test", the exclusive invite to join a royal partner offers the chance to see whether they would fit in with the family's outdoorsy lifestyle.
West End star Ruthie, 59, revealed she was welcomed with her own personal maid before going for a cookout without security – and was astonished when King Charles started "manning the bar".
© GettyRuthie, who dated Edward from 1988 to 1993, said her time at Balmoral was "surreal". "They were all quite jolly. I think everyone was jolly by the time we'd had a few martinis. Charles was manning the bar. He made me a very strong martini. He probably did that on purpose,” she joked.
Princess Beatrice also once offered an insight into what life at Balmoral is like, describing it as “the most beautiful place on earth."
She said: "I think Granny is happiest 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.”
