Charles Gets The Grandkids Into Gardening

He may be only two years old but it seems Prince George's grandfather Prince Charles is already encouraging him to be a keen gardener.

This summer, visitors to Highgrove, Prince Charles's Gloucestershire home, will hear stories of how the toddler has been enjoying the enormous gardens with his grandad, who appears to be turning it into a playground for his grandchildren.

During a visit this week guides explained that Prince George and Prince Charles recently had a tea party in the grounds, with plastic cups rather than precious royal porcelain.

In a quiet corner of a wild flower meadow there is also a shepherd's hut that Charles was given to mark George's first birthday, which the little boy has already enjoyed playing in.

Of course, being a member of the royal family will mean tree planting will one day become an integral part of his royal duties, so he has already been getting practice by planting a poplar tree in his grandfather's garden.

Prince Charles has also refurbished an ornate tree house ready to be used by Prince George and Princess Charlotte. It was once a firm favourite with their father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry.

Up to 40,000 people visit Highgrove every year exploring the extensive grounds including the orchards, the Moroccan-themed carpet garden and the kitchen garden. We were told even the Prince has trouble keeping rabbits away from the vegetable plants.

The proceeds from the tours raise around £650,000 a year for the Prince's charities.

A new addition this year is a topiary elephant box hedge. The large frame was found by the Duchess of Cornwall, and has been placed in the garden in tribute to her brother Mark Shand, with the entrance gate to the garden also named after him.

Mr Shand, who was a conservationist and founder of the charity Elephant Family, died suddenly last year after falling in New York.

Since buying the house in 1980 Prince Charles has worked with his head gardeners and other experts to make the estate as organic and self-sufficient as possible, and a perfect habitat for wildlife.

The Royal Gardens at Highgrove are open for selected days until Friday 16th October.