King Charles III showcased his knowledge of fine spirits while hosting a major business reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Monday, 19 January 2026.
A Royal Toast to Scottish Enterprise
The monarch was joined by Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, and Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, for an event celebrating the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. The reception brought together a diverse group of investors, business owners, and leaders from sectors including technology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
The gathering in the historic Throne Room began with a whisky tasting, featuring representatives from the renowned Rosebank Distillery. Founded in Falkirk in 1840, the family-run distillery recently achieved global acclaim by winning the best in show award at the prestigious 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The King's Palate Passes the Test
His Majesty sampled a 31-year-old Rosebank whisky and confidently identified distinct notes of toffee in the spirit. Rosebank's managing director, Leonard Russell, and his son Tom, the head of export, confirmed the King's accurate assessment.
"He did know about whisky," Leonard Russell remarked. "He was interested that it was triple distilled and wanted to know why it had won best whisky in the world in the San Francisco competition." The King's observation about the toffee flavour, a characteristic of long-aged whisky, demonstrated a refined palate.
The Russells expressed feeling "honoured" to share their success with the King. Leonard Russell added, "What the King does to bring attention to businesses in Scotland is a remarkable thing."
Royal Focus Amid Family Legal Proceedings
The King and Queen were undertaking engagements in Scotland as the Duke of Sussex's trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail commenced at the High Court in London on the same day. Prince Harry attended the Royal Courts of Justice in person, with proceedings expected to continue throughout the week.
In written legal submissions, the Duke's barrister, David Sherborne, stated that the alleged unlawful information gathering by Associated Newspapers Limited had a "profoundly distressing effect" on Harry, leaving him "paranoid beyond belief" and placing a "massive strain" on his personal relationships.
