King Charles III has humorously revealed the perils of his favourite pastime, admitting he occasionally 'cuts bits of his fingers off' while tending to the Royal Gardens. The monarch made the light-hearted confession during a tour of the grounds at his Scottish residence, Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
A Lifelong Passion Sprouting from Childhood
Speaking to BBC presenter Martha Kearney for a Christmas special of This Natural Life on Radio 4, His Majesty traced his deep-rooted love for horticulture back to his earliest years. He recounted being introduced to gardens from his pram, wheeled through the dairy garden at the Sandringham estate where his great-great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, had planted yew trees.
That early memory directly inspired the new Topiary Garden which opened in July 2023, featuring more than 5,000 English yews. Charles spoke of 'extraordinary memories' of his grandmother's garden at Windsor, stating, 'That really fascinated me as a very small child and I’ve had this passion for topiary ever since.'
Secateurs and Sustainability: The King's Dual Focus
The King, who famously spends his 'life going around with my secateurs', received a jovial warning from Kearney to be careful with the sharp tool as they explored a kitchen garden on the 2,000-acre Dumfries House estate. His dedication extends beyond pruning, however, to a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
When asked about engaging younger generations in caring for the planet, King Charles suggested a practical approach: 'I think half the battle is trying to find a way to enable more children to help with school vegetable gardens.' He believes fostering an attachment to homegrown produce can make children more conscious of climate change's impact on food sources.
A Royal Gardening Legacy
The monarch explained that his 'green-fingered gene' was inherited from his grandmother, the Queen Mother, and Queen Alexandra. He took over the running of the sprawling 21,000-acre Sandringham estate in 2017, while still the Prince of Wales, but his hands-on involvement began long before.
Reflecting on his enduring enthusiasm, Charles said, 'I think I was just one of those people who generally responded to being outside and looking and observing.' His adventures with secateurs may sometimes end in minor mishaps, but his passion for the craft remains entirely undampened.
The special episode of This Natural Life, recorded in the gardens of Dumfries House, will air on BBC Radio 4 at 12pm on Tuesday, with a repeat broadcast scheduled for Christmas Day.
