King Charles has been claimed to "keep staff on their feet" in a "curious" way at his private Cotswolds home. The monarch has presided over Highgrove in Gloucestershire since 1980, and cultivated impressive gardens within its grounds.
In a post on Instagram shared by the Royal Horticultural Society, Highgrove Gardens and The King's Foundation, it has been revealed the playful move the King, 77, reportedly makes during visits to his country home. Melissa Simpson, the Head of Horticulture at The King's Foundation, revealed that there is a gnome which has got the gardening team scratching their heads.
Speaking on camera to Frances Tophill, designer at the Royal Horticultural Society and the The King's Foundation Curious Garden, she said: "We've got a little gnome that seems to move around and I'm sure it's the boss [The King] moving that around just to keep us on our feet." She added that it's "a wonderful place to work".
The caption to the video read: "The curious tradition of The King's hidden gnome at @highgrovegarden… Join @francestophill, designer of The RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden, and Melissa Simpson, Head of Horticulture at The @kingsfoundation, as they talk about the joyful tradition of the Highgrove gnome, often found in the Stumpery within the gardens."
© @the_rhs / InstagramCountry home
Highgrove is the King's main family home that he shares with wife Queen Camilla. He bought and renovated it even before his marriage to Princess Diana, and Prince William and Prince Harry spent periods of their childhoods there.
The property dates back to the 18th century, and is understood to have nine bedrooms, four reception rooms and eight bathrooms. In a modern update, it has had a 'panic room' installed to keep the royals safe.
© Getty ImagesIn the grounds of the property, there are 15 acres of gardens, which can be visited by the public between April and October every year. That includes the Stumpery - an assortment of tree stumps where the aforementioned mysterious moving gnome can be found - where there is also a tree house that a young William and Harry were known to play together at.
Additionally, there is a swimming pool, which was constructed as a wedding gift to a then-Prince Charles and Diana, following their 1981 nuptials, from the British Army. While it might not be an official royal palace, the property has been such an important backdrop in the monarch’s life over the years that it features in Netflix's The Crown.
