King Charles filled with Christmas cheer at festive Highgrove celebration — but says no to roast chestnuts: ‘Couldn’t eat another’
King Charles is getting into the holiday spirit.
The monarch, 76, appeared downright jolly on Friday during his foundation’s annual Crafts at Christmas event at Highgrove Gardens near Tetbury, England.
The King’s Foundation was started by in 1990 by His Majesty when he was still the Prince of Wales.
Each year the organization reaches approximately 15,000 students annually, and helps them build practical skills for their every day life, per the official website.
One student who is studying with the foundation, Emily Rose Saunders, told the BBC it was “really exciting” to see the royal member express his own passion for crafts.
According to Saunders, the King was “really engaged” with the people he came in contact with at his annual Crafts at Christmas event.
The student, who studies millinery and uses a technique called straw plaiting when crafting hats, thanked His Majesty and Chanel for their contributions.
“We wouldn’t be here without His Majesty, and to be able to have that support from both him and Chanel means that we are able to have this time. When else would you be able to have eight months where you can solely learn a skill?” Saunders expressed.
“It’s really nice to be able to meet him and thank him for that, really,” she added.
Other images showed the King shaking hands with attendees and overlooking different areas. Charles flashed a smile as he greeted children in Santa hats and decorated a tree with ornaments.
During his visit, His Majesty also met with students and alumni, along with instructors, to see the work they have done throughout the year and the goals they have achieved.
Charles took the opportunity to gain insight into the experiences they’ve all had with The King’s Foundation.
“Inspired by our Royal Founding President, King Charles III, our vision is a world where we live in harmony with nature to improve the wellbeing of people, places and the planet,” per a statement on The King’s Foundation’s official website.
At one point, the King took a moment to listen to songs performed by the local Rock Choir.
Paul Venn, a roasted chestnuts vendor at Crafts at Christmas, told the BBC: “When I handed him the nuts he says he loves them, but he ate so many when he was young he couldn’t eat another.”
As for King Charles’ future endeavors over the holiday season, his oldest son, Prince William, recently revealed what the royal family has in store for Christmas.
The Post exclusively revealed last month that the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, will mark the festive season with an annual trip to Sandringham, where they will join other members of the royal family.
And during his trip to military base camp in Bulford, Wiltshire, William shared some details with soldiers and their families about the Firm’s upcoming plans to celebrate Christmas at King Charles’ estate.
“We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham,” the future king said during his outing earlier this week, via the Daily Mail. “We’ll be 45 for Christmas. It won’t be quiet, it will be noisy.”
Still, when it comes to preparations, William admitted that he’s far from ready for festivities to commence.
“Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready,” the future king said.
Each year, all members of the Firm are invited to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s country estate where they celebrate Christmas with a family dinner followed by an afternoon of gift-giving.
Prince William has also been quite busy this holiday season, having stepped out earlier this month with Kate Middleton and their three children: sons Prince George, 11, and Prince Louis, 6, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 9, for the fourth annual “Together at Christmas” service, which was hosted by his wife.
During the festivities, the couple’s youngest child was photographed carrying a red piece of paper with a handwritten note about what he is thankful for.
In honor of the service’s theme of love and empathy, Prince Louis’ note read: “Thank you for Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me.”
