King Charles has arrived at the Castle and Gardens of Mey in Caithness to begin his annual summer retreat in Scotland.
The King’s Foundation released new photographs marking the occasion.
During his stay at the historic Scottish residence, King Charles added The King’s Rose to the castle’s Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden, a space created by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The rose variety, bearing the King’s name, was developed through a collaboration between David Austin Roses and The King’s Foundation.
King Charles customarily visits Mey during the opening week of August each year, a tradition that coincides with the late Queen Mother’s birthday. He has been visiting the Caithness castle since childhood.
King Charles has arrived at the Castle and Gardens of Mey in Caithness to begin his annual summer retreat in Scotland.
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Chris Watt Photography / The King’s Foundation
For every King’s Rose sold, £2.50 is donated to the King’s Foundation, funding the charity’s efforts to create sustainable communities and change lives.
The partnership between David Austin Roses and the Foundation ensures the variety serves both a horticultural and philanthropic purpose.
Beyond Mey, the rose has been introduced at two other sites overseen by the Foundation: Dumfries House in Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire.
Both properties hold deep personal significance for the King.
This is not the first occasion on which King Charles has contributed to the grounds at Mey.
The King’s Foundation released new photographs marking the occasion.
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Chris Watt Photography / The King’s Foundation
Back in August 2005, the King and Queen, then known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, planted a pair of sycamore trees at the front of the castle.
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother first acquired the Castle of Mey in 1952, and it remained her cherished retreat for decades. She would typically spend three weeks there each August.
In 1996, the Queen Mother transferred the property along with an endowment to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, ensuring its long-term preservation.
Her grandson’s devotion to the estate stretches back to his earliest years. The King maintains the August tradition his grandmother established, staying at the castle each summer.
The gardens at Mey have long been a focus of royal attention. The Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden, where The King’s Rose now grows, stands as a testament to the Queen Mother’s passion for the grounds she nurtured over more than four decades.
The monarch customarily visits Mey during the opening week of August each year.
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Chris Watt Photography / The King’s Foundation
The King’s Foundation, which serves as sole trustee of the property, manages the castle and its gardens as part of its broader mission.
Established in 1990, the charity draws on His Majesty’s vision to unite people, places and the natural world in harmony.
Its work extends well beyond royal estates, delivering education in traditional and outdoor skills to nearly 15,000 students annually and leading regeneration projects across more than 30 countries.
The Foundation is headquartered at Dumfries House and operates from additional hubs in London, including sites in Shoreditch, at Trinity Buoy Wharf and in Chelsea.
Today, the Castle of Mey holds a five-star visitor rating and welcomes tens of thousands of guests each year, offering guided tours, garden access and private dining. The attraction plays a significant role in supporting local employment and tourism in Caithness.