King Charles Begins His Balmoral Summer With A Familiar Four-Legged Face — And A Reminder Of Queen Elizabeth’s Funniest Royal Encounters
King Charles has begun his summer stay at Balmoral Castle, and his arrival in Scotland came with a particularly familiar welcome.
On August 18, 2026, the monarch was formally greeted at his Scottish residence by the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, along with local well-wishers. But among those waiting to see him was one unexpected and rather memorable guest: Corporal Cruachan IV, the regiment’s Shetland pony mascot.
A Traditional Balmoral Welcome
Charles followed the long-standing tradition of beginning his annual Balmoral stay with a formal inspection of the Balaklava Company and the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The regiment’s pipe band was also present for the ceremony, while Corporal Cruachan IV appeared to behave himself during his meeting with the King.
That calm encounter, however, carried a touch of nostalgia for anyone familiar with the pony’s previous royal appearances.
Cruachan became particularly well known for his unpredictable encounters with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was famously passionate about horses.
The Pony Who Kept Queen Elizabeth On Her Toes
The Shetland pony had already provided the Queen with several memorable moments.
During a 2017 visit to Stirling Castle, Cruachan reportedly tried to nibble the flowers she was carrying.
A year later, he created an even more awkward moment during an official welcome at Balmoral when he relieved himself. Queen Elizabeth responded by covering her nose with her hand.
By then, the pony’s antics were evidently familiar to the monarch. When she encountered him again, she jokingly remarked: “Here we are again.”
Those light-hearted moments became part of the many personal memories associated with the Queen and her beloved Scottish estate.
Why Balmoral Meant So Much To Queen Elizabeth
Balmoral held a particularly important place in Queen Elizabeth’s life.
The Aberdeenshire estate sits beside the River Dee and traditionally served as the royal family’s summer retreat. The late Queen would typically travel to Scotland in late July and remain there until October, with members of the Royal Family visiting throughout the season.
It was also where she spent her final days before her death at the estate on September 8, 2022.
For decades, Balmoral was closely associated with family life away from the formal pressures of royal duties.
The Tradition Continues
That connection has continued into the next generation.
King Charles and Queen Camilla now make their annual journey to Balmoral in late summer. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, also typically visit the estate with their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — along with other members of the Royal Family.
And as Charles begins another summer at the Scottish residence, the appearance of Corporal Cruachan IV offers a small but memorable link to his late mother.
For Queen Elizabeth, the mischievous pony provided a series of amusing royal moments. This time, however, Cruachan appeared to be on his best behavior for the King.