King Charles and Queen Camilla found themselves holding tiny Lego versions of themselves during a heartwarming visit to Ballater’s Albert Hall.
The royal couple arrived to celebrate the community hall’s 150th anniversary, with crowds gathering to welcome them alongside the Ballater and district pipe band.
During the visit, the monarch was wearing a kilt in his King Charles tartan kilt as he and the Queen toured the historic building.
Thursday’s visit brought together local schoolchildren, community groups and residents who have come to know the royals as familiar faces in their Aberdeenshire village.
The star attraction was a meticulously crafted Lego model of the Albert Hall itself, complete with miniature figures of the royal visitors.
Nicola Reid, 45, who leads Ballater’s Lego Club, spent weeks creating the detailed replica and added the finishing touches just before their arrival.
“With very limited pieces and very limited time, I made a representation of your majesties,” she told the couple as she presented them with their tiny Lego doubles.
The Queen called it “fantastic” while Charles picked up the miniature versions of himself and Camilla to examine them closely.
King Charles and Queen Camilla came face to face with Lego miniature versions of themselves in Ballater
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Ms Reid later said it was a “labour of love” and added: “He seemed quite impressed – he might treasure it.”
A Lego expert, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to Lego minifigures, praised Ms Reid’s creations.
“I think they’re a great effort,” he told GB News.
However, he could not help but notice Ms Reid appeared to have sourced the hair for the Queen’s minifigure from an unexpected source – Star Wars.
A Lego expert told GB News that Queen Camilla’s minifigure’s hair had been sourced from that of Luke Skywalker from Star Wars
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“Camilla’s hair is normally used for Luke Skywalker’s minifigure… They’ve given her Luke Skywalker’s hair,” the Lego expert exclaimed.
The enthusiast also recognised that the miniature King’s kilt was a totally custom piece.
Thursday’s royal visit saw Charles and Camilla spend time with neighbours close to their Balmoral and Birkhall homes.
Gordon Riddler, chairman of the Victoria and Albert Halls Trust, revealed why the royals feel so at home in Ballater: “People in Ballater call them good neighbours, because that’s what they are.”
Nicola Reid, who leads Ballater’s Lego Club, has built a replica of Albert Hall ahead of the King and Queen’s arrival
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He explained that Birkhall sits just three miles away, where Charles spends much of his time.
“They feel totally relaxed in Ballater because people talk to them as if they’re neighbours,” Riddler told the BBC.
Before becoming King, Charles would sometimes drive into the village during his Aberdeenshire stays, though his new role makes such spontaneous visits impossible now.
Thursday’s event also featured a special performance by award-winning Highland dancers Annie Hutcheon and Lexi McCracken, local musician Dr Paul Anderson performing a fiddle tune he’d composed specifically for the anniversary celebration.
Young Archie McEwan, 12, also contributed to the musical programme with a cello performance.