King Charles III is making a significant move into the lucrative luxury weddings industry, with plans for a new £6.5 million venue at the Scottish headquarters of his charitable foundation.
A Royal Hall for Modern Nuptials
The project will see a 430-square-metre, single-storey extension built onto the historic Dumfries House estate in Ayrshire. This new space, to be named The King's Hall in the monarch's honour, is designed to seamlessly integrate with the original Robert Adam-designed house, replacing a temporary marquee previously used for events.
Set to open for its first weddings in July 2027, the hall will cater for up to 200 guests. Pricing will start from £5,500 for midweek bookings, rising to £8,500 for weekend exclusive use, with catering costs additional. The ambition is to host five or six large-scale events weekly, a major increase from the current one or two.
Funding Charity Through Celebrations
All revenue generated from the wedding business will be reinvested. The funds will support the upkeep of the publicly accessible Dumfries House and the wider work of The King's Foundation, the monarch's charitable arm focused on building sustainable communities through education and better building schemes.
"The King's Hall will be a true testament to the impact of His Majesty on Dumfries House and the vital education and employment it provides," said Gordon Neil, Executive Director of The King's Foundation at the estate.
He added that upon completion, the estate's architectural history will span three major influences: Robert Adam in the 18th century, Robert Weir-Schultz in the 19th, and King Charles III in the present day.
Sustainability and Local Sourcing at its Core
The development emphasises the charity's principles of harmony and sustainability. Construction uses local materials, including stone from a nearby quarry, and traditional techniques. The hall will be heated by newly-installed heat pumps, with biomass boilers serving the main house.
Menus for events will feature organic food and locally-sourced produce. The foundation has announced free-to-attend tasting sessions for their proposed 2026 menu on 24 and 31 January 2025.
Evan Samson, General Manager of Dumfries House, stated their ambition is for The King's Hall to become a premier destination for high-end luxury weddings, attracting both national and international clients. He highlighted the dual benefit: guests gain access to a historic royal estate, while their spending creates local employment and funds educational programmes for thousands annually.
Dumfries House, a 300-year-old country home saved for the nation by Charles when he was Prince of Wales, boasts an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. It now serves as the operational heart of his charitable foundation.
