Rescue dogs from Battersea head to Highgrove for footstool photoshoot

Rescue animals from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have been treated to a festive photoshoot at the King and Queen’s country estate, Highgrove. The adorable pets, Percy, Darcie, Elspeth, Harper, Missy and Shadow, who are all hoping to find new homes in time for Christmas, were invited to Gloucestershire from the charity’s Old Windsor Centre.

They posed on a range of bespoke footstools, crafted using recycled curtains from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by students and community groups working with Charles’s charity, The King’s Foundation. Camilla, patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, recently bid a sad farewell to her own beloved Battersea rescue dog, Beth, a 13 year old jack russell terrier, due to illness.

Camilla adopted Beth in 2011 when she was just a three-month-old unwanted puppy, and another jack russell, Bluebell, in 2012 after she was found alone in a London park with a painful skin condition. The King reportedly told TV presenters Alan Carr and Amanda Holden at the Royal Variety Show last week that he and the Queen would be considering getting a new dog.

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When asked if the Queen might be tempted by any of the visiting dogs, a Royal source said: "While it’s a little too soon for Her Majesty to start deciding on a new friend for Bluebell, she remains a great supporter of all the work that Battersea Dogs and Cats home does in finding loving homes for all their rescue pets – not just for Christmas but forever."

Kaye Mughal, the centre manager in Windsor, shared: "It was a special day bringing some of our dogs from Battersea’s Old Windsor Centre to Highgrove Gardens."

"They enjoyed the day out, experiencing visiting a new place and getting into the festive spirit. They also enjoyed testing out some of the unique footstools and have officially given them their approval."

The six dogs – Percy, a sweet four year old white bichon cross; Darcie, a playful three-month-old black Labrador puppy; Elspeth, an energetic and sociable one year old brown cocker spaniel; Harper, an intelligent and gentle three year old jack russell terrier; Missy, an inquisitive three year old black English cocker spaniel; and Shadow – a shy three-legged, four year old grey deerhound lurcher who loves walks – are all hoping to be rehomed. If you're interested, get in touch with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home via battersea.org.uk for more information.

This footstool project follows the success of the King’s Foundation’s luxury kimonos, which were made from old Royal curtains last year at the suggestion of the King, and auctioned to support the foundation. Huge amounts of rich fabrics, believed to have adorned the windows in family and private rooms during the late Queen’s reign, were lying unused in storage after being collected during clear-outs over the decades.

A treasure trove of Royal curtain fabric from the 1950s to the 1990s has been transformed into artisan footstools. The collection, rich with nature-inspired designs from floral to large leaf patterns and some unique denim pieces from the 1980s, was brought back to life by the King's Foundation's Sewing Bee at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.

They crafted bespoke patchworks using materials like delft blue floral, vintage rose and teal, along with rich damask burnt orange fabric left from a kimono project. These were then combined with the classic Harris Tweed.

Highgrove Gardens' skilled students involved in the Metiers D’Art Fellowship – an initiative jointly run by the foundation and Chanel in association with le19M – took on the task of upholstering the fabrics on to eight beautifully handcrafted footstools. The wooden footstools were crafted by graduates of the Snowdon School of Furniture, known for their 16-week Create programme focusing on sustainable wood craftsmanship.

Simon Sadinsky, the executive director of education for The King's Foundation, celebrated the project, highlighting: "The footstools are a very special project as it’s the first time we have created items that represent a collaboration between two of our educational sites, Dumfries House and Highgrove Gardens, across three of our educational programmes."

He shared his excitement, saying: "What has made it even more wonderful is being able to welcome some four-legged friends from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to mark the start of another magical festive auction – we hope this will in turn help to find them new homes."

This project doesn't just shine a spotlight on fantastic craftsmanship but also on the foundation's dedication to green practices, repurposing second-hand materials into the designs. A selection of eight eco-friendly furniture pieces is set to go under the hammer with starting bids at £250 each, all to benefit The King’s Foundation.

If you’re keen to take part in the charity event for a good cause, check out uk. givergy.com/KingsFoundationFootstoolAuction/ between 29 November and 16 December.

The King’s Foundation takes care of Highgrove Gardens, engaging visitors with workshops in traditional skills like millinery and embroidery that are at risk of fading away.