King Charles met with Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster in Scotland today, as he marked the 35th anniversary of the launch of his royal charity.
The King’s Foundation was founded as the Prince of Wales’s Institute of Architecture by Charles in 1990 when he was Prince of Wales, and works to build sustainable communities and transform lives.
Sir Rod and Penny, the foundation’s newest celebrity ambassadors, met the monarch at Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy singer ensured he was adequately wrapped up against the bracing cold, donning a Molly-Mae-inspired cream cable knit with a high neck, under a shearling coat.
Meanwhile, his wife Penny opted for a similar warm toned ensemble, pairing a pale brown jumper with a darker skirt of the same colour.
Ahead of the visit, it was revealed that Charles, 76, would be placing a personal letter and the first item into The King’s Foundation’s 35th anniversary time capsule, to mark the start of a year of celebrations.
As part of its work, the foundation promotes the King’s philosophy of harmony which sees everything in nature as interconnected, including ourselves, and advocates taking a holistic approach to the challenges facing the planet.
Over the course of the year, the charity will collect items which people feel represent the achievements and legacy of The King’s Foundation, with a particular focus on what inspired people to devote their time to protecting the built and natural world.
Musician Sir Rod Stewart (pictured today) has joined the King’s Foundation as one of its celebrity ambassadors, alongside his wife, Penny Stewart
Once the collection of items is complete the time capsule will be buried on the Dumfries House estate and opened in 100 years.
The time capsule itself was designed and made from oak at the Snowdon School of Furniture, part of The King’s Foundation at Highgrove, by King’s Foundation alumnus Aiden Lawley.
Its design has been left intentionally plain to both celebrate the British timber used and to give space for other students and alumni to add decorative elements throughout the year.
A newly created bust of Charles, created by a former King’s Foundation student, Lily Marsh, who now runs a successful sculpting business, will also be on show during the event.
During the visit on Wednesday, the King spoke to members of the local community, ambassadors and alumni of the foundation, while Alan Titchmarsh, an ambassador for the charity, was also in attendance.
Sir Rod, who has just celebrated his 80th birthday, and model, special constable and Loose Women star Penny have joined the likes of David Beckham and Sienna Miller in the role of celebrity ambassadors.
The veteran rocker, whose hits include Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Hot Legs and Maggie May, said: ‘We are so pleased to be coming on board as ambassadors for The King’s Foundation and look forward to lending our support to this worthwhile cause, particularly during such a significant year for the charity.’
The veteran rocker (pictured, right) appeared pleased to be exchanging words with the monarch (left) as his wife Penny Lancaster (centre) also joined the conversation
Sir Rod, who is known for hits like Do Ya Think I’m Sexy among others, looked cosy in his Winter ensemble
Penny, also known as Lady Stewart, was seen warmly embracing King Charles as they met at Dumfries House today
Penny, also known as Lady Stewart, said: ‘As a volunteer special constable, the foundation’s approach to building communities – and how access to green spaces can help build better, healthier places – is particularly important to me.
‘It’s an honour to be working with the foundation and I can’t wait to meet more of the inspiring people who both learn with and work for the organisation.’
Sir Rod, who has long been a supporter of the charity, joined the King, Beckham and Miller at the foundation’s inaugural awards in St James’s Palace in June.
The charity supports 15,000 students across its education programmes each year and said it has a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of people around the world through its community regeneration projects.
Its textiles education programmes work to train the next generation of young craftspeople in heritage and endangered skills but it also focuses on sustainability, farming and agriculture, health and wellbeing, and architecture and urbanism.
The foundation’s headquarters are at Dumfries House, which was saved for the nation in 2007 by a consortium led by Charles as the Prince of Wales.
Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King’s Foundation, said: ‘We are thrilled to begin celebrations for our 35th anniversary today at Dumfries House, which is not only our headquarters but very much the heart of The King’s Foundation.”
‘Our early work at the Institute for Architecture formed the basis of the expanding and expansive work which is epitomised at Dumfries House today, so it is only fitting to celebrate this milestone on site with His Majesty The King and our students, alumni, staff and ambassadors.
PennyLancaster and Sir Rod Stewart said they are ‘so pleased to be coming on board as ambassadors for The King’s Foundation’
Charles is pictured placing a letter in the The King’s Foundation’s 35th anniversary time capsule (also seen: Lady Stewart and Sir Rod)
‘We are so proud of what The King’s Foundation has achieved over the past 35 years.
‘I hope those uncovering the time capsule in 2125 will recognise the positive impact both the King and his foundation have had on the world and its communities.’
The meeting followed King Charles holding an audience with the President of Sierra on Wednesday earlier today.
His Majesty, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, welcomed Leone Julius Maada Bio at Dumfries House in Cumnock.
The meeting followed King Charles holding an audience with the President of Sierra on Wednesday earlier today.
The two leaders appeared in good spirits as they shook hands before sitting down to chat.
Charles donned a grey suit, white shirt and pastel pink tie, while Mr Maada Bio opted a striped navy suit blue shirt and bronze-coloured tie for the meeting.
Writing on Facebook on Monday, ahead of the meeting, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio said: ‘This afternoon, I had the honor of accompanying His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio as we departed Sierra Leone to accept a gracious invitation from His Majesty King Charles III.
‘This visit is a significant opportunity to strengthen the diplomatic relationship between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. I am pleased to be part of this important engagement and anticipate productive discussions and collaborations that will benefit both our nations.’
The King’s meeting comes just a day after he greeted Iraq‘s prime minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani at Buckingham Palace.
The monarch greeted Al-Sudani, 54, on Tuesday, ahead of the Iraqi PM’s meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.
King Charles, 76, held an audience with the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio on Wednesday at Dumfries House, Cumnock, Scotland
A joint statement released by the two prime ministers following Tuesday’s meeting said: ‘Prime Minister Starmer congratulated PM Al-Sudani on the stability and growth that Iraq has enjoyed under his leadership.
‘The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the vision of a prosperous, sovereign Iraq through a new partnership focused on trade and investment, deepening educational and cultural ties, as well as tackling security, migration and climate change challenges.
‘This visit re-affirms the UK and Iraq’s commitment to work together on shared regional and global interests and underlines a shared commitment to the long-term strategic relationship.’
Writing about his visit to the UK in The Telegraph, Al-Sudani described his meeting with Charles as one of ‘symbolic significance’.
‘It underscores the enduring historical ties between our two countries and highlights the importance we place on deepening dialogue and coordination on issues of security, stability and development in our region,’ the politician, who came to power in 2022, added.
While it’s understood that King Charles is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, he has still maintained a busy schedule.
In addition to his ongoing meetings, he recently confirmed he will visit Poland to attend commemoration events for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz later this month.
The visit will mark 80 years since the liberation of the former German Nazi concentration camp on January 27, 1945.
While in the country, His Majesty will also meet the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr Andrzej Duda.
The two leaders appeared in good spirits as they shook hands with each other before sitting down
Charles donned a grey suit, a white shirt and a pastel pink tie while Mr Maada Bio wore a striped navy suit blue shirt and bronze-coloured tie for the meeting
The King’s cancer treatment is continuing into this year, a Buckingham Palace source previously revealed.
The source has said the 76-year-old’s health is still being ‘managed’ but is ‘moving in a positive direction’.
His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties this year.
This will include ‘exciting’ UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, the insider said.
‘His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year’, the Palace source said at the end of 2024.