King Charles turns Highgrove into royal safari

King Charles may have some of the most enviable homes in Britain from the stately Clarence House in London to the snug Birkhall in Scotland but it’s his Gloucestershire retreat, Highgrove, that keeps royal watchers talking.

Known for its award winning gardens, the estate just revealed a surprising twist among the tulips: a herd of life sized elephants grazing peacefully in Orchard Room Meadow.

The King hasn’t gone full safari, these gentle giants are hand crafted wooden sculptures installed in 2020 as part of the Elephant Family’s conservation campaign. 

The breathtaking display serves as both art and activism, reminding visitors that protecting the planet’s most majestic creatures starts right here on royal soil.

As the Highgrove team puts it, “It’s a mesmerising scene that captures the essence of these awe-inspiring animals.” And with Charles’ lifelong passion for the natural world, it’s safe to say the monarch’s garden is positively pachyderm perfect.

Tucked away amid the lush greenery stands a rather touching tribute, a life-sized willow sculpture of King Charles’ beloved Jack Russell terrier, Tigga.

Lovingly crafted by artist Emma Stothard, the elegant piece captures Tigga mid-pose, tail aloft and spirit intact. 

On her website, Stothard revealed she was “particularly honoured” to create and personally present the sculpture to His Majesty a fitting homage to a royal companion who once ruled the lawns of Highgrove with boundless energy.