King Charles had a memorable and slightly humorous encounter while visiting Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Arriving on Wednesday, 19th August, the 77-year-old monarch began his summer engagements with the traditional pomp and ceremony befitting a royal visit.
A guard of honour from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, of which King Charles is Colonel in Chief, welcomed him upon arrival. During his visit, he reviewed soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, who have been serving as the royal guard at Balmoral since July and are expected to remain until October.
In a particularly charming moment, the King met Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony serving as the regiment’s mascot. The pony stood alongside his handler, Corporal Rory Stewart, as part of the parade. The encounter was captured on film and shared by STV News on their social media platform.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Burst Water Main Finally Repaired
READ MORE: ‘Distress’ as Cotswold Psytrance Festival Approved Near Couple’s Wedding
When King Charles extended his hand to stroke the pony, Corporal Cruachan IV responded unexpectedly by appearing to attempt a nip, prompting the King to withdraw his hand quickly. This moment quickly drew amusement from royal watchers and online viewers.
One onlooker joked, “Second most terrifying animal after a chihuahua,” while another quipped, “Never trust a pony.” A third comment playfully suggested, “Either the pony opposes the monarchy or he thinks the fibre on the King’s coat is tasty.”
However, others familiar with equine behaviour pointed out that the pony was likely just “nibbling,” a typical gesture from horses expecting a treat rather than an aggressive bite. One commenter explained, “It wasn’t trying to bite him; the pony thought he had a treat!” while another added, “He’s nibbling, he’s just hoping for a treat.”
A local expert from Shetland reassured viewers, saying, “If the pony wanted to bite, he would have. That was just a warning.”
Displaying his usual poise, King Charles quickly resumed stroking the pony’s nose following the brief misunderstanding, showing no signs of distress. An observer noted, “Love the way King Charles just takes it in his stride and pats the pony on its nose after – he’s not stressed by it at all.”
This lighthearted incident highlighted the King’s calm demeanour during an otherwise formal occasion at Balmoral, proving it certainly was not his first rodeo.