King Charles appeared in high spirits today as he attended a talk on an energy efficient housing project in the Scottish Highlands.

The monarch, 75, travelled to the Scottish village of Tomintoul to hear more about the £3.3 million energy-efficient housing project in the area.

Excited schoolchildren and well-wishers lined up to meet Charles at the Glenlivet Discovery Centre and Auld School Close.

His appearance comes as his youngest son, Prince Harry, continued his trip to Europe alongside his wife Meghan Markle for the Invictus Games.

The Duke did spend time in Britain at the end of last week – however the Mail on Sunday reported  the King did not meet with Harry when he visited the country. 

Charles donned a smart tartan kilt, a tweed blazer and a waistcoat, complete with a crisp shirt and tie. 

The King looked thrilled to meet the crowds and joined them at the barrier for friendly conversation. 

As Charles stepped out of his vehicle in the Scottish highlands, he was immediately welcomed by the sound of bagpipes.

The monarch quickly greeted fans waiting for him at the barrier with a firm handshake and smile across his face.

During the informative talk about the housing project, Charles connected with staff, including Claire Filer, the Development Officer of the project.

Before the introduction, the group seemed to get along very well- and even shared a couple of laughs.

Charles appeared to be very inquisitive about the project and asked staff plenty of questions about their sustainable efforts.

As he left the discovery centre, one member of the public waiting for his arrival back out of the building asked what the King thought of her nails.

At first, Charles seemed confused about the question, but after quickly catching a glimpse at the nails, he said: ‘My goodness, how long did it take you.’

In addition to judging visitors’ nails, His Majesty wished a happy birthday to one lady who had travelled to see him on her special day.

Excited schoolchildren and well-wishers lined up to meet Charles at the Glenlivet Discovery Centre and Auld School Close

The monarch, 75, travelled to the Scottish village  to hear more about the £3.3 million energy-efficient housing project in the area

Charles donned a smart tartan kilt, a tweed blazer and a waistcoat, complete with a crisp shirt and tie

Upon meeting the school children, the King seemed to particularly enjoy looking at artwork and other creations by the pupils.

After, Charles greeted the school children, and seemed to particularly enjoy looking at artwork and other creations by the pupils.

The children, who were dressed in paper crowns for the royal visit, also held up Scottish flags.

Older pupils also lined the streets, and one gifted His Majesty a bouquet.

It comes just days after Charles attended a special service at Crathie Kirk to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth – and appeared moved by warm-wishes from crowds who also gathered to mark the anniversary of her death.

Charles and Camilla made the short journey by car from the nearby Balmoral Estate to the Scottish church, where successive monarchs have worshiped since Queen Victoria.

The couple spoke to crowds outside afterwards who shared their condolences and handed them bouquets and cards. The King told them that the flowers were ‘wonderful’ and joked with children about getting back to school.

The children, who were dressed in paper crowns for the royal visit, also held up Scottish flags and artwork 

The King looked thrilled to meet the crowds and joined them at the barrier for friendly conversation

The monarch quickly greeted fans waiting for him at the barrier with a firm handshake and smile across his face

Other royals were also at the service, including the Queen’s great nephews Samuel and Arthur Chatto, sons of Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto, who also went. 

And staff from Balmoral, the beloved Scottish home of the Queen where she died, also attended, walking to and from the service in the September sunshine.

The King looked emotional as he left Crathie Kirk having paid a moving tribute to his adored mother as the nation marks the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death. 

Crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and Army gun salutes honouring Her Majesty rang out across the United Kingdom.

In an unprecedented break with tradition, signifying how touched he has been by the country’s grief at her passing but also pride in a remarkable life of public duty, His Majesty recalled his mother’s ‘long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us’.

Initially Charles had planned only to mark his mother’s death – and his own grief-tinged accession – in ‘quiet contemplation’ at home in Scotland. 

While at the Discovery Centre, Charles appeared to be very inquisitive about the project and asked staff plenty of questions about their sustainable efforts

Charles donned a smart tartan kilt, a tweed blazer and a waistcoat, complete with a crisp shirt and tie while attending the school 

Older pupils also lined the streets holding up United Kingdom flags, and one gifted His Majesty a bouquet of flowers 

It comes just days after Charles attended a special service at Crathie Kirk to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth

In doing so he would follow the same pattern that Queen Elizabeth chose to adopt for 70 years, marking her father King George VI’s death, at Sandringham in Norfolk, away from public gaze.

But in recent weeks he began to have a change of heart, having been so deeply touched by the global outpouring of grief after his mother died on September 8 last year.

Indeed, King and Queen Camilla chose made a last minute decision not to return to their own home at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate as planned, but to remain at the castle itself where Elizabeth died at the age of 96, surrounded by the glory of the Scottish Highlands she adored.

Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
247