King Charles has sparked controversy with a "chic" item available for purchase in the Highgrove shop, which is attached to his private residence, with its staggering price tag raising eyebrows among commentators and royal watchers alike.
The Highgrove Estate and Its Offerings
Highgrove House, an 18th-century family home nestled near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, serves as the private residence for King Charles and Queen Camilla. The estate is widely celebrated for its spectacular "interlinked" gardens, which have become a hallmark of its charm and appeal.
Throughout the year, Highgrove welcomes guests for tours and events, offering an elegant dining experience at the Orchard Room Restaurant, described as a table-serviced venue overlooking the Orchard Terrace. Additionally, the estate features a shop where visitors can browse a diverse range of products.
Shop Items and the Controversial Wallpaper
The Highgrove shop offers items across numerous categories, including food and drink, home and garden, bath and body, clothing and accessories, and even jewellery. However, one particular product has come under scrutiny: the Stumpery Wallpaper, priced at £266 per roll.
This wallpaper draws inspiration from The Stumpery, a tranquil and atmospheric garden within the Highgrove grounds. According to the shop's website, the design "celebrates the Victorian tradition of stumperies, where ferns and lush greenery flourish among sculptural tree stumps," embodying the garden's "ethos of renewal and sustainability."
The wallpaper artfully captures elements of The Stumpery, such as the classical green oak temple, a whimsical thatched treehouse, a wall of stones gifted to His Majesty, and the mystical Wood Nymph, referred to as the 'Goddess of the Wood.' It is available in three evocative colour schemes: dell, lichen, and fern.
- The dell colour scheme, in mural size, is priced at £266 per roll.
- The lichen and fern options are available for a somewhat more reasonable £144 per roll.
Criticism and Comparisons to Meghan Markle
The high price of the wallpaper has not gone unnoticed. Former Vogue journalist Plum Sykes, quoted by The Mail's Harriet Kean, described the item as "very chic" but suggested a double standard in public perception. Sykes remarked, "If Meghan was doing that there would be a media storm but somehow, because it's the King, it's all very chic."
Harriet Kean highlighted this point in her reporting, noting that King Charles has been selling various items through the Highgrove gift shop, including bee hotels, and now wallpaper featuring images of his own garden. She referenced Sykes' lack of impression with the pricing, implying potential hypocrisy in how royal commercial ventures are viewed.
Other Wallpaper Options and Broader Context
The Stumpery Wallpaper is just one of several floral wallpapers available on the Highgrove shop website. Slightly cheaper alternatives include:
- The Topiary View, priced at £98 per roll.
- The Ancient Apple Orchard, available for £112 per roll.
These options provide a range of choices for customers interested in decorating their homes with garden-inspired designs, though the Stumpery Wallpaper stands out due to its premium cost and direct connection to the royal gardens.
The Mirror has reached out to Buckingham Palace and The King's Foundation for comment on the matter, but as of now, no official statements have been released. This incident adds to ongoing discussions about royal commercial activities and public scrutiny of high-priced items associated with the monarchy.
