Thursday marked another busy day for King Charles as he opened the first two Coronation Food Hubs on the anniversary of his Coronation Food Project.
Despite his royal duties, the monarch had an additional reason to celebrate when it was revealed that a tartan designed at his request had been officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
The Balmoral Glen Gelder tartan, designed by the Scottish Tartans Authority, features a unique blend of greens, blues, and reds. It draws inspiration from a rare Highland tartan discovered in Glen Affric, which is now part of the authority’s collection.
This new tartan will be used for furnishings and staff uniforms at Balmoral, and a limited selection of products featuring the design will be available to the public at Balmoral Castle next year.
John McLeish, chairman of the Scottish Tartans Authority, praised the King for his ongoing support of Highland traditions, stating: “His Majesty the King continues to be a wonderful ambassador and advocate for tartan, Highland dress, and the traditions of the Highlands.
The Balmoral Glen Gelder tartan has been created using shades from His Majesty’s personal tartan, allowing others to appreciate the soft hues he admires, which echo the pleasing patterns of 18th-century tartans.”
The Scottish Register of Tartans also noted the significance of the tartan’s name, explaining that Glen Gelder lies at the heart of the Balmoral Estate, with its lower slopes near Balmoral Castle. Charles inherited the estate from his mother, Queen Elizabeth, after her passing on 8 September.
Balmoral is a beloved retreat for the royal family, particularly during the summer months. The Queen fondly referred to it as “a paradise in the Highlands,” and Princess Eugenie shared that “Granny was the happiest there, really, truly in love with the Highlands.”
The estate spans 50,000 acres in Aberdeenshire and features a variety of gardens, including a kitchen garden, vegetable patch, flower garden, and water garden. It also boasts Victorian glasshouses and a conservatory displaying flowering plants year-round.
Charles, who enjoys spending time in Scotland, has also welcomed furry visitors to Balmoral – red squirrels, whom he has affectionately referred to on social media, saying, “I take enormous pleasure in having them around—and in! — the house when I am at home in Scotland.”
