Express reporter Adam Toms visited the King's Highgrove shop in Tetbury and found one thing stood out above everything else: art by Charles himself.
The Highgrove shop experience
While in Tetbury speaking to locals about the Sussexes returning to the UK this week, Toms dropped into the monarch's Highgrove shop in the high street. Resembling a garden centre – except a lot more posh than your average Dobbies – the store sells a range of homeware, garden accessories, food and royal memorabilia inspired by the nearby private estate. It is obviously on the pricey side.
Customers can purchase wooden spoons with “HIGHGROVE” and a crown on them for £4.95. Embossed egg cups are also available for £7.95. Apple juice can be bought for £7.50 – or two bottles for £12.
Pricey items and royal art
Moreover, a large lampshade can set you back £170 and a Sanderson’s King Rose tea set for one £65. A bone china teapot costs £325.
But one thing stood out above everything else – art by Charles himself. A View from the Wildflower Meadow, complete with the sovereign’s signature in the bottom right corner, costs £3,500. Westside of Highgrove House Artists Proof is a snowy scene from 2016 that costs £5,000. Mount Athos and Ackergill Tower have a price tag of £2,950.
Reaction and context
Hyacinth Bucket would lose her mind if she visited. Toms was impressed and would not mind having one on his wall. But he noted he does not have thousands of pounds to spare at the moment.
The King’s Gloucestershire retreat, Highgrove House, has been at the centre of royal drama of late as the scene of a crucial reunion between the monarch, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Queen Camilla was also there to keep a close eye on things. The property in the Cotswolds also played a prominent part in the Netflix series The Crown, as many important scenes were set there. Royal watchers, of course, have disputed the show’s accuracy.
