King Charles came face-to-face with a pony known for causing trouble as he was officially welcomed to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The monarch, 75, was welcomed to the royal residence, where the British royal family traditionally retreats in the late summer, with a small ceremony on Aug. 19. The King sported a kilt as he inspected troops from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and reunited with their mascot, a Shetland pony known as Corporal Cruachan IV.
Cruachan appeared to be on his best behavior as he received a pet on the nose from King Charles, who also exchanged a few words with the pony’s handler. However, the mascot has been known to occasionally misbehave.
King Charles at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Aug. 19, 2024.
Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
Queen Elizabeth had multiple humorous encounters with the pony during the ceremonial welcome to Balmoral before her death in 2022. In 2018, the pony relieved himself during the event, causing the Queen to turn and shield her nose from the smell with her hand.
The previous year, Cruachan tried to take a nibble of a bouquet held by the Queen during a visit to Stirling Castle.
Queen Elizabeth once quipped, “Here we are again,” upon seeing the pony.
Queen Elizabeth and Cruachan.
Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty
Balmoral Castle announced on Aug. 14 that the grounds, gardens and exhibitions of the estate were now closed to the public, hinting that King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royals would soon be gathering there for their annual visit.
Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, purchased the castle and the surrounding estate in 1845. Ever since, the British royal family used the residence to entertain friends, hold dances, picnic and go on shooting parties.
“It was a life of picnics and paddling around,” Margaret Rhodes, the Queen’s cousin, once said.
While many royals will journey to Scotland in the coming weeks, likely including a visit from Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children, sources recently told PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not invited. The couple, who relocated to California after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, recently wrapped a four-day visit to Colombia.
Balmoral Castle.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Although it’s a vacation from the public eye, it’s not all play for the monarch during the break in the Scottish Highlands. Like his mother, King Charles continues to work, reading the diplomatic papers in the famous “red boxes” delivered daily. He also usually continues to hold audiences and undertake some public engagements between visits from members of the family.
While Balmoral holds many happy memories for the royals, it is also where Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 on Sept. 8, 2022, just days after her final royal duty. Last year, King Charles spent the first anniversary of his mother’s death and his accession to the throne at the castle, attending a service at the nearby Crathie Kirk church.
