King Charles kicked off his summer stay at the family’s beloved Scottish retreat with all the pomp and ceremony you’d expect.
The traditional welcome ceremony brought back a familiar four-legged face that caused quite a few headaches for his late mother.
And King Charles had one reunion at Balmoral Castle that brought back memories of Queen Elizabeth’s most memorable royal moments.
The notorious Shetland pony makes his grand entrance
Monday was showtime at Balmoral Castle – the kind of perfectly choreographed royal pageantry that makes the British monarchy look effortless.
King Charles showed up in full Highland regalia to review the troops from Balaklava Company, but honestly, nobody was really watching the soldiers.
But the real star of the show wasn’t any of the perfectly disciplined soldiers standing at attention.
It was their four-legged mascot – a Shetland pony known as Corporal Cruachan IV – who has quite the reputation for causing royal embarrassment.
Unlike his previous encounters with the late Queen Elizabeth, Cruachan appeared to be on his absolute best behavior for King Charles.
King Charles walked right up to the little troublemaker and gave him the royal treatment – a friendly pat and some small talk with his handler.
The King was all smiles during the whole thing, which tells you everything about how differently this went compared to his mother’s experiences.
When Queen Elizabeth met her match in a mischievous pony
Anyone who followed the royal family during Queen Elizabeth’s reign knows that Cruachan had a talent for stealing scenes – and not always in the most dignified way.
Back in 2017, the cheeky Shetland pony attempted to take a bite out of the flowers Queen Elizabeth was holding during a visit to Stirling Castle.
The following year brought an even more embarrassing moment during the ceremonial welcome to Balmoral Castle.
Cruachan decided to relieve himself right in the middle of the ceremony, causing Queen Elizabeth to turn away and cover her nose with her hand.
The Queen’s reaction became an instant classic among royal watchers – a rare moment where even the most composed monarch in history couldn’t hide her human response to an awkward situation.
Nodding to his naughty reputation, Queen Elizabeth once quipped, "Here we are again," upon seeing the mascot at another royal event.¹
It’s the kind of unscripted moment that showed the more relatable side of a Queen who spent seven decades maintaining perfect royal composure in public.
Balmoral Castle prepares for royal family gathering
The timing of King Charles’ arrival signals the start of the royal family’s most cherished tradition.
Balmoral Castle recently announced that the grounds, gardens and exhibitions of the estate were closed to the public for the season – a clear hint that King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royals would soon be gathering there for their summer visit.
The Scottish Highlands castle and surrounding estate have been the royal family’s summer retreat since Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, purchased it in 1845.
"It was a life of picnics and paddling around," Margaret Rhodes, the Queen’s cousin, once described the atmosphere at Balmoral.²
The castle holds special meaning for the royal family as the site of many important moments – from Prince Philip’s proposal in 1946 and their royal honeymoon to summers with their growing family.
Princess Eugenie perfectly captured the late Queen’s connection to the estate in the 2016 documentary Our Queen at Ninety: "I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands."³
Summer break doesn’t mean vacation from royal duties
Don’t expect King Charles to spend his time at Balmoral completely disconnected from his responsibilities.
Like his mother before him, the King continues to work even during his Highland retreat, reading the diplomatic papers in the famous "red boxes" delivered daily.
He typically continues to hold audiences and undertake some public engagements between visits from members of the royal family.
The Wales family – William, Kate, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 – are expected to join the summer gathering at the Scottish estate.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also have a big move ahead – PEOPLE confirmed over the weekend that William and Kate will relocate to Forest Lodge in Windsor before the end of the year.
The residence is larger than their current home base at Adelaide Cottage, where they moved in September 2022, and is said to be their forever home where they will live even after William becomes king.
A poignant connection to Queen Elizabeth’s final days
While Balmoral holds many happy memories for the royals, it’s also where Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 on September 8, 2022, just days after her final royal duty.
Last year, King Charles spent the first anniversary of his mother’s death and his accession to the throne at the castle, attending a service at the nearby Crathie Kirk church.
The fact that he’s returned to Balmoral for another summer shows the enduring importance of this Scottish retreat in maintaining royal traditions and family connections.
Look, even a four-legged royal pain in the neck like Cruachan has figured out his place in this whole operation.
The fact that he’s managed to behave himself for King Charles – after putting Queen Elizabeth through years of public embarrassment – shows you that maybe there’s hope for everyone.
What you’re really seeing here isn’t just another summer vacation for rich people in big castles.
This is about keeping something alive that matters – the kind of traditions that connect a family and a nation to something bigger than themselves.
¹ Stephanie Petit, "King Charles Comes Face-to-Face with an Infamously Mischievous Pony as He Begins Summer Stay at Balmoral Castle," People, August 18, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.