With just over a week until Christmas, King Charles has been spreading festive cheer at his Highgrove estate.
On Friday, he hosted the annual ‘Crafts at Christmas’ event in partnership with tutors and students from his charity, The King’s Foundation.
Their expertise in painting, millinery and embroidery added an extra sprinkle of Christmas magic to the occasion.
The celebration took place at His Majesty’s Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove, and served as a platform for the King to express his dedication to preserving traditional crafts, which are sadly becoming less popular.
He stated: “It’s really trying to maintain the timeless skills, which are always needed really, whatever age we’re in. They are all rather disappearing, the battle is trying to keep all the special ones.”
During the event, the King visited various stalls, conversing with an artist, a blacksmith and even sampling some tasty roasted chestnuts – a perfect treat for the holiday season.
After being serenaded by a local choir and engaging in lively conversations with attendees, the King retreated to the Orchard Room, an events space within the grounds of Highgrove, where he personally assisted in decorating the grand Christmas tree.
King Charles has been the proud owner of the Highgrove estate since 1980, sharing the opulent residence with his former wife, the late Princess Diana, and their young sons, Princes William and Harry.
The estate has long served as a sanctuary for the King, who once famously admitted to seeking solace in the quaint chapel on the grounds when he needed respite from the relentless demands of Royal life.
Nestled within 900 acres of organic land, this Georgian-era residence retains its historical allure despite undergoing several renovations over the years, including the addition of a farm for sustainable and locally sourced produce.
With nine bedrooms and six bathrooms, the mansion has been a labour of love for the monarch, who has devotedly curated both the interiors and the breathtaking gardens since his days as the Prince of Wales, before his mother’s passing.
Such is the demand for the stunning gardens that the King opens them annually for visitors to revel in the captivating scenery and make the most of the vibrant natural space.
