If you go down to Highgrove this summer, prepare to spot a chicken or two. Every year, when the weather gets warmer, the hens of ''Cluckingham Palace” stream into the orchards of the King's country residence.
Normally confined to a private area of the gardens, where they are tended to by both the royal household and the King, whenever he is in residence, the summer months sees the flock of rescue hens roaming freely around the estate, where visitors can watch them explore.
"They're central to Highgrove life, and it's always lovely to see them happily roaming around, pecking away," says Scott Simpson, the retail director for The King's Foundation, the charity founded by the King to support nature and heritage; the organisation is the the custodian of Highgrove, which has been the King's private residence since he purchased it in 1980.
Highgrove is where the King puts the charity’s philosophy of harmony with nature into practice, which is "all about living with nature and nature's creatures”, according to Scott.
Last week, he welcomed Sir David Beckham to the house to put finishing touches to their designs for their shared garden at RHS Chelsea Flower show this summer. Viewers were given an insight into the monarch’s approach in Finding Harmony: A King's Vision, the Amazon Prime documentary released in February, which showed the King paying a visit to his hens at “Cluckingham Palace”, the Highgrove coop.
"It's been known as that for as long as I've been there," Scott says. "I'm not sure how that name came up, but it's rather fitting – and it makes everyone chuckle."
There, the King was shown filling a basket with eggs. It's an activity he's long pursued, says Scott. "It's something he will always do when in residence at Highgrove, going to collect the eggs himself." The eggs are used in the house as well as being sold on site.
© Finding Harmony: A King's VisionThe Highgrove hens are a special bunch. Not only does the flock include some of the King's favourite breeds – Burford Browns, Marans and Welsummers – they are made up of rescue hens.
Among the flock is Henrietta, who the King and Queen adopted in 2024 along with 30 other hens. "She was the one-millionth hen rehomed by the British Hen Welfare Trust, and she came to live at Highgrove for her retirement," Scott says.
Scott, who has rescue chickens himself, adds: "They're the most marvellous animals. They're so friendly, and it's so calming to collect eggs. With rescued hens, there's something really lovely about giving them a second chance, and what better home than at Highgrove?"
To buy your own Cluckingham Palace sign, visit highgrovegardens.com
