English broadcast and gardener Alan Titchmarsh has told how King Charles invited him and friends for tea at Dumfries House- the day before the then-Prince became King.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Titchmarsh said King Charles invited Mr Titchmarsh to “come and see us soon for tea” the day before becoming King.
Charles III spent Wednesday working and hosting guests at Dumfries House in Cumnock.
He met with the parents of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette, as well as scientists from around the world for a two-day global symposium on allergies.
The King has pledged a partnership with leading allergists at a conference organised by two parents whose teenager died following a severe allergic reaction.
He has said he was “moved beyond words” by 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s death and the way her parents have “selflessly dedicated themselves to preventing other families suffering in the same way”.
Addressing those present, he said: “Would there be any added value to having a partnership with what you’re trying to do, my Foundation and your efforts on allergies, because it fits with so many things I’ve tried to do and the messages I want to get across.”
Mr Titchmarsh outlined how after dinner at the East Ayrshire home, Charles who was then the heir to the throne, and his guests had coffee in a tapestry-lined gallery as they were played “jaunty Scottish airs” on a guitar and penny whistle.
He said: “The prince tapped his foot in time with the music before giving the man on the whistle a bottle of Scotch and the woman on the guitar a bottle of champagne, chatting casually to both.
“The recital was short, the applause genuine, and, after making his way around the room, shaking hands with almost everyone there, smiling, thanking them for coming and encouraging them in their endeavours, the prince headed for the exit.
“Because I stood by the door, he shook my hand last of all and said ‘Come and see us soon for tea’.
"I thanked him and he left the room as Duke of Rothesay, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and assorted other titles, unaware that he was doing so for the very last time.
"He was happy; it had been a good day.
“The next day, he woke up early as usual, but by the middle of the afternoon those ancient appellations would be redistributed among more junior members of his family. Prince William became Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. Prince Charles would have but one title: The King.”
King Charles III was formally confirmed as the nation’s new monarch during a meeting of the Accession Council on Saturday.
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