King Charles has been spending more time at his cherished Gloucestershire home, Highgrove, and has recently made a new hire to help maintain the estate’s impressive grounds, told The Mirror.
Interestingly, the King may have faced the unusual prospect of seeking permission from his son and daughter-in-law, Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who are now his landlords for Highgrove House. The Duchy of Cornwall’s extensive £345 million property empire, which includes the 18th-century estate, has transferred to Prince William’s stewardship. As a result, King Charles III is set to pay close to £700,000 annually in rent to Prince William.
Despite this change in ownership, a source revealed that His Majesty intends to manage Highgrove himself, considering it his forever home. “There is an understanding that the King will remain at Highgrove. It’s his home,” the insider conveyed.
The source also hinted that King Charles plans to spend more time at the residence. “Charles will spend more and more time there as time goes on. He’s recently appointed a new head gardener to give the grounds a new touch and will make improvements to the property as and when required,” reports the Express.
King Charles has already begun personalizing Highgrove by recruiting new staff, including a head gardener, to enhance the estate’s grounds. “Charles has appointed Grainne Ring as his new head gardener and she’s a delight,” the source shared.
With a focus on organic produce and improving the visual appeal of Highgrove’s gardens, His Majesty has high hopes for the new addition to the team. “Charles wanted someone who was a whizz with organic vegetables and could really take the look of the grounds to the next level.”
The King is reportedly so pleased with his new appointment that he’s planning an event for the public to meet Grainne at work. The gathering is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, offering an up-close look at Grainne’s horticultural expertise at Highgrove.
“Charles wanted a top-of-the-crop organic gardener for his beloved Highgrove,” said the insider. “It is a job where you will certainly need the greenest of fingers. He can’t wait to show her off.”
According to the Highgrove website, Grainne’s responsibilities include “ensuring the organic status of the garden is maintained through adhering to Soil Association standards and Garden Organic recommendations,” as well as “showing exceptional levels of commitment to maintaining the garden for conservation and biodiversity.”
With King Charles’s preferences in mind, Grainne is expected to have the “ability to take direction and advice from a variety of different specialists, advisors, and managers.”
The Royal Garden at Highgrove, developed by the then Prince of Wales over four decades, is a testament to Charles’s dedication to organic and sustainable gardening practices. The garden features personal touches, including a tribute to his late Jack Russell, Tigga, and a bench painted in two of the Queen Mother’s favorite colors.