King Charles has begun his summer holiday in Scotland by planting a special rose at one of his royal residences. The King planted the King's Rose at the Castle and Gardens of Mey in Caithness, marking the start of his annual first week of August visit to the castle, which coincides with the birthday of his late grandmother, the Queen Mother.
A Tradition of Gardening
This is not the first time the King has added to the gardens at the Castle of Mey. In August 2005, Charles and Camilla, then the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, planted two sycamore trees at the front of the castle. The King's Rose has also been planted at other King's Foundation sites, including Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire.
The Castle's History
The Castle and Gardens of Mey were among the Queen Mother's beloved residences, which she purchased in 1952. It is now managed by The King's Foundation, which oversees green spaces of personal significance to the King. The Queen Mother typically spent three weeks at the castle each August, and the King, who has visited since a young age, has continued this tradition.
The Castle and Gardens of Mey will open to the public for tours from Wednesday, August 12.
Royal Family News
The news comes amid the joyful announcement that Princess Eugenie gave birth to her third child, a daughter, earlier this week. The daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, announced the news on Tuesday evening. The baby was born on Monday at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, weighing 6lb 9oz, and mother and baby are said to be doing well.
It is a rare occasion for a member of the Royal Family to be born overseas, but Eugenie and Jack have a home and other connections in Portugal.
