King Charles III
Pony first steals the show at Balmoral Castle
Charles with the infamous pony Corporal Cruachan IV.
© imago/Avalon.red
First summer holiday in Scotland without the late Queen: King Charles III. has arrived at Balmoral Castle.
King Charles III (74) has arrived at Balmoral Castle for the obligatory holiday. The British monarch traditionally spends the summer at his residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Charles was welcomed by a guard of honor from the Royal Regiment of Scotland on Monday, according to consistent media reports. Charles walked the parade in the appropriate outfit, a kilt and knee-high socks.
Recently, King Charles III. Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. He inherited the honorary post from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II
In general, this year’s stay at Balmoral Castle is the first since the Queen’s death. Here Elizabeth had died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96. The royals want to spend the first anniversary of their death together on Balmoral. However, only a celebration in the immediate family circle is planned.
Charles’ eldest son Prince William (41) is expected at Balmoral Castle during the summer, the Prince of Wales is to spend the holidays there with his wife Kate (41) and their three children.
Notorious pony steals the show from Charles
When Charles arrived at Balmoral Castle, however, someone else was the focus of interest – at least for many British media. The king met a pony named Corporal Cruachan IV. The animal is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – and notorious for its conspicuous behavior towards royals.
In 2018, Cruachan relieved himself in front of Queen Elizabeth II, the then Queen turned away with her nose pinched. A year later, the Shetland Pony nibbled on a bouquet of flowers that Elizabeth was holding. Another year later, Corporal Cruachan took Prince Harry’s fingers (38).
This year, however, the pony apparently adhered strictly to protocol. Charles even stroked the animal on the face, according to observers.