King Charles’ new Highgrove landlords are Prince William and Princess Kate as he hires new gardener

King Charles has an unexpected landlord for his cherished Highgrove House. His eldest son, Prince William and daughter-in-law Kate Middleton are his landlords, which might have seen him seeking approval from them to employ a new gardener to revamp the grounds.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly set to receive up to £700,000 a year in rent from King Charles. “There is an understanding that the King will remain at Highgrove. It’s his home,” a source revealed.

Prince William now oversees the Duchy of Cornwall and its £345 million property portfolio, including Charles’ 18th-century Gloucestershire estate. Despite Highgrove having a new owner, a source told The Express that King Charles will make all the decisions about its maintenance and live there for the rest of his life.

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“Charles will spend more and more time there as time goes on. He’s recently appointed a new head gardener to give the grounds a fresh touch and will make improvements to the property as and when is required.”

The source added that the King is so committed to making Highgrove his own that he’s recently hired new staff at the grand residence.

“Charles has appointed Gráinne Ring as his new head gardener and she’s a delight. Charles wanted someone who was a whizz with organic vegetables and could really elevate the look of the grounds,” said the source.

The King is said to be so pleased with his new hire that he’s hosting a meet and greet for members of the public to see Grainne at work on Thursday, August 1, at Highgrove.

A source revealed: “Charles wanted a top-of-the-crop organic gardener for his beloved Highgrove. It is a job where you will certainly need the greenest of fingers. He can’t wait to show her off.”

The Highgrove website outlines that Grainne must “ensure the organic status of the garden is maintained through adhering to Soil Association standards and Garden Organic recommendations. Show exceptional levels of commitment to maintaining the garden for conservation and biodiversity.”

In addition, with King Charles in mind, Grainne must have the “ability to take direction and advice from a variety of different specialists, advisors and managers.”

The Royal Garden at Highgrove was established by the then Prince of Wales over 40 years ago. The unique flora and fauna are managed in harmony with nature to reflect Charles’s commitment to organic and sustainable principles.

There are intimate corners such as a memorial to his Jack Russell, Tigga, and a bench in two of the Queen Mother’s favourite colours.

King Charles needed to seek approval for Highgrove gardener
King Charles needed to seek approval for Highgrove gardener © Getty Images
Related video: King Charles’ Meghan Decision That Made Harry ‘Furious’ (Newsweek)

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Fundraiser for Meghan Markle’s ‘abandoned’ father Thomas Markle raises £40,000
Story by Emma Guinness
• 5h • 4 min read

A GoFundMe set up to remind Thomas Markle that there are “still people in the world with good hearts” after he was “rejected and abandoned” by his daughter Meghan has raised more than £40,000.

Created by Royal author and socialite Lady Colin Campbell, 74, the fundraiser was set up following Thomas’s 80th birthday on 18 July.

Ahead of the milestone, he said his one wish was to reconnect with his estranged daughter and finally meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Thomas has been estranged from the Duchess of Sussex, 42, since around the time of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, 39.

A scandal erupted when it emerged that Thomas had partaken in a staged paparazzi photoshoot ahead of the event which saw him photographed as he tried on a suit and appear to research life in the UK.
While Thomas was meant to walk his daughter down the aisle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, he suffered two heart attacks on the eve of the wedding and the then-Prince Charles did the honour instead.

Meghan later told Oprah Winfrey in a tell-all interview about her and Harry’s departure from the royal family that she could not “reconcile” his press “betrayal” ahead of her wedding.

Lady Colin wrote on the GoFundMe: “Many people have suggested that I spearhead this fundraiser to meaningfully note Thomas Markle Sr’s 80th birthday.

“He has been exceedingly generous with his time and money over the years, as I have learnt from the teachers at his daughter’s school, who could not sing his praises highly enough.”

Lady Colin continued: “His kindness and generosity are well known in the film community, and I agree that now that he has been rejected and abandoned by the daughter, those of us who wish to show him solidarity and give him the acknowledgement he should be getting from the actual recipient of his largesse, will hopefully, through our contributions, no matter how small, demonstrate to him that there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values, and good intentions.

“Hopefully our actions provide him with the comfort he deserves in more ways than one in his declining days.”

Contributors not only donated in their thousands but sent Mr Markle messages of support.

One donor wrote: “Sending you love and hugs from New Zealand. Hoping you get to see your grandchildren soon.”

“My father is gone from this earth and I wish I could give him a hug,” added a second. “I want to give it to you and just know that you have daughters around the world now. You are loved.”

A third well-wisher praised: “Thank you Lady C for this wonderful page! So very happy to contribute. Wishing Thomas Markle Sr prosperity, health and love on his next trip around the sun. And a hug from all of us. I pray that this page and these messages bring Thomas a small comfort.”

News of the GoFundMe comes after Mr Markle told the MailOnline ahead of his 80th birthday that his only wish was to hear from his daughter and finally meet his grandchildren.

“I’ve had a good life and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished, but everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years,” he said.

“I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch. I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage.”

Thomas claims he had a good relationship with his daughter before she became romantically involved with Harry.

Reflecting on Meghan and Harry’s frosty relationship with the royal family, which worsened after they moved to California in 2020, Thomas, who said he would like to connect with King Charles over their shared estrangement, said he hopes the royals do not blame him “for everything that has gone wrong”.

“The person she’s become isn’t the girl I raised, but I wonder if they blame the Markle family for everything that has gone wrong,” Thomas added.

“She started to change when she lived in Canada filming Suits and was hanging out with the Soho House [an exclusive members’ club] crowd.

“She began acting entitled. Things escalated after she met Harry.”

At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised £40,003, tripling its initial £10,000 target.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for the Sussexes and Lady Colin Campbell for comment.

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

thomas-markle.jpg
thomas-markle.jpg © Channel 5
Thomas Markle holding his daughter Meghan as a baby. (Instagram)
Thomas Markle holding his daughter Meghan as a baby. (Instagram) © Provided by The Independent
Thomas Markle has been estranged from his daughter since around the time of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. (Getty Images)
Thomas Markle has been estranged from his daughter since around the time of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. (Getty Images) © Provided by The Independent
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