Highgrove, the king's rural residence, is decked out in beautiful Christmas decorations, one of which is a touching memorial to a recent loss that has been quite upsetting for the Royal Family.
Some of the decorations on the tree include an embroidered design of Beth, the beloved Jack Russell that belonged to Queen Camilla. Unfortunately, she had to be put down over the weekend, which left the Queen in a state of heartbreak.
Beth, who was only 12 weeks old when Queen Camilla acquired her from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, was euthanized after being diagnosed with cancer, as reported by The Mirror. This choice was extremely difficult for Queen Camilla, who had rescued the puppy from the shelter. However, there is a possibility that the family could soon welcome a new member with four legs.
As a result of the devastating death, King Charles disclosed to Alan Carr and Amanda Holden, who were hosting the Royal Variety Performance, that they would be bringing in a new pet soon. This year, the handcrafted ornament of Beth, wearing a red bandana decorated with a crown, and another of Queen Camilla's terrier Bluebell, who is also crowned, are displayed on the tree and may be purchased from the Highgrove shop.
According to the Express UK, these ornaments, which were priced at £12.95 apiece, were introduced in September as part of a long-planned addition to the Christmas collection. They were put on the tree earlier this month, before the announcement of Beth's sickness.
The staff at Highgrove, located in Gloucestershire, is getting ready to host holiday celebrations in the Orchard Room, the estate's designated venue for hosting events. The days leading up to the holiday season involve the provision of Christmas meals consisting of two or three courses.
The decorations spread out around the estate in red, green, and gold hues provide a sense of coziness. These decorations capture the essence of a typical Royal Christmas. The King's commitment to sustainability is made abundantly obvious by the fact that all of the lights are low-voltage LEDs and that sustainable materials like paper baubles, plant-based glitter, and flowers created from recycled paper mulch are utilized.
At the entryway, there is a pair of enormous nutcrackers painted to seem like royal guardsmen wearing crimson tunics and tall black caps. They are standing watch.
Highgrove Gardens is managed by the King's Foundation, a charitable organization King Charles oversees.
The public's response to the homage has been a combination of empathy and respect for the royal family's effort.
“Such a beautiful way to honor Beth. Queen Camilla must be heartbroken. Sending love!" a royal fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Highgrove’s eco-friendly decorations are stunning, and Beth’s memorial shows their commitment to compassion," another netizen said.
“Queen Camilla rescuing Beth from a shelter proves even royals care deeply for animal welfare," a third X user penned. “Losing a pet is devastating, but the tribute to Beth is absolutely touching. What a loss for them, a fourth source stated.
“Highgrove’s sustainable Christmas is inspiring. The royals truly lead by example, even in tough times," another netizen commented. “Rest in peace, Beth. It’s heartwarming to see her memory live on in the decorations," a sixth source added.
Business Times has reached out to King Charles and Queen Camilla for comments.
