Highgrove House is King Charles and Queen Camilla’s private residence and is known for its “interlinked” gardens, but one particular item for sale in the shop is raising eyebrows
King Charles has raised eyebrows over a “chic” item being sold in the Highgrove shop at a jaw-dropping price. Nestled near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, Highgrove House is the King and Queen Camilla’s 18th-century family residence, renowned for its spectacular “interlinked” gardens.
The Highgrove estate welcomes guests throughout the year for tours and events, where those visiting can dine at its Orchard Room Restaurant. It has been described as an “elegant, table-serviced dining room” overlooking the Orchard Terrace.
It also boasts a shop, where customers can choose items from a range of products spanning numerous categories, including food and drink, home and garden, bath and body, clothing and accessories, and even jewellery.
One particular item, however, has been called into question by former Vogue journalist Plum Sykes, who The Mail’s Harriet Kean quotes as saying it’s “very chic” as “it’s the King”.
Harriet wrote: “King Charles has been flogging all sorts through the Highgrove gift shop, including bee hotels. Now news reaches me that he’s even selling wallpaper featuring images of his own garden at Highgrove for £266 a roll.”
She went on to reference Plum, claiming she “isn’t impressed” – and suggesting there could be a double standard when it comes to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
Harriet quotes Plum: “If Meghan was doing that there would be a media storm but somehow, because it’s the King, it’s all very chic.”
A quick browse of the Highgrove shop’s website confirms there is indeed wallpaper available for this particular price. The Stumpery Wallpaper, as its title indicates, takes its inspiration from The Stumpery, a “tranquil, atmospheric garden” situated at Highgrove.
Those wishing to buy their own can choose from three “evocative” colour schemes – dell, lichen or fern – the first choice of dell (mural size) is available for £266, while the remaining two can be bought for a somewhat more reasonable £144.
In the description, it claims the wallpaper’s design “celebrates the Victorian tradition of stumperies, where ferns and lush greenery flourish among sculptural tree stumps”, embodying the garden’s “ethos of renewal and sustainability”.
It also states: “The wallpaper artfully captures Stumpery’s magical atmosphere, featuring details such as the classical green oak temple, the whimsical thatched treehouse, a wall of stones gifted to His Majesty, and the mystical Wood Nymph, ‘Goddess of the Wood’.”
However, it is just one of a number of floral wallpapers available for purchase on the website, with slightly cheaper options including the Topiary View at £98 and the Ancient Apple Orchard at £112.
The Mirror has contacted Buckingham Palace and The King’s Foundation for comment.
