As millions across the world gear up to mark the historic occasion of The King’s Coronation next month, plans are underway at Ayrshire’s very own royal estate to ensure the event is one to remember.
With picnics, a tea dance, and even a Royal menu designed by Scottish school pupils, Dumfries House hope young and old can join in the festivities of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday, May 6.
Events are set to take place in every corner of the UK, with hundreds of visitors expected to descend upon the estate near Cumnock- saved for the nation by King Charles in 2007- over the Coronation long weekend.
And with the count down well and truly on to mark the moment in history, Ayrshire Live took a visit to the Palladian country house to learn all about the King’s vision for education via The Prince’s Foundation, as well as their plans for the Coronation.
Melissa Simpson, head of gardens, said she has seen a noticeable increase in visitor numbers since Charles was appointed King in September last year, following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Melissa, who along with her team are busy keeping the gardens tip-top ahead of the Coronation, said: “There was a big surge since he’s become King and then there was a programme featuring him and the estate on telly so every time that happens we get a few more coming in.
“Sustainability is big, and that’s been guided by His Majesty's vision. He’s all about people, the environment and horticulture.
“I’ve got 14 members of staff and, as part of the Prince’s Foundation, it’s about recruiting locally- and I think all bar one are local.
“We’re constantly developing and always trying to improve and embellish. And obviously there’s things that King Charles likes; he love the roses and delphiniums.
“January was his last visit and when he comes back he says ‘yes I like this, I like that’.
“He’s a keen environmentalist. There’s the five-acre walled garden and the acre at the bottom is part of our education garden, so we get school kids out for vegetable growing, prepping beds etc.”
Education is the driving force behind The Prince’s Foundation, with a diverse range of training programmes for all ages and backgrounds, including in hospitality, future textiles, farming, health and wellbeing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The estate’s STEM manager, Jo Dempster, helps teach youngsters about green energy, environmental science, aerospace and sustainable design, while working in conjunction with firms including Scottish Power, Collins Aerospace and Electronics Company Leonardo.
Jo said: “Education happens in school and the industry don’t necessarily know what’s being taught, so we get to bridge that gap and make sure there’s a seamless transition.
“That’s what we’re good at at The Prince’s Foundation across the board.
“We want to try make sure there’s opportunities [for students] at the end.”
And it was via one of The Prince’s Foundation educational courses- the Food For the Future programme- which saw schoolkids from across Scotland don on their chef hats as they came up with afternoon tea delights fit for a King.
It’s hoped the dishes, which will be served at a tea dance at Dumfries House on the weekend of the Coronation, could become as popular as Coronation Chicken- first produced for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953- with the public encouraged to make their own versions to enjoy at the nationwide Coronation Big Lunch on Sunday, May 7.
The Royal menu- judged by Dumfries House executive chef Tom Scoble- features ‘A Little Seeds Lemon Cake’ made by pupils from Saltcoats, Galloway Heather Honey Beef Sandwiches, dubbed ‘Busy BBQ Bee-f Open Sandwich’, created by students from Dalbeattie, and a King’s Coulis by pupils from Easterhouse.
Joey Munn and fellow pupils at St Matthew’s in Saltcoats came up with Little Seeds Crown Cakes- a lemon poppyseed cake topped with rhubarb.
Joey, 14, said: “The rhubarb symbolises being seasonal because it’s a seasonal fruit, the lemon is meant to represent fresh beginnings and the seeds represent sustainability.”
Asked if he thinks HRH King Charles will like it, Joey said: “Possibly. I like it!”
Catriona Donaldson, food, farming and horticulture tutor for The Prince’s Foundation, said: “We hope perhaps the recipes might find their way to His Majesty to try at some point in the future.
“We would love to see the dishes tried out by organisations and individuals taking part in The Big Lunch on Sunday, May 7 and perhaps they could tag @princesfoundation as we would love to see them on tables across the land.
“Beyond the Coronation it would be fantastic to see them become a staple item in much the same way as the Coronation Chicken created for our late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation has become.
“This time around, though, the dishes focus on highlighting the importance of local and sustainable food systems which we need to build to support a planet fit for the future.
“It’s also been lovely to connect the learning to a momentous time for our charity founder His Majesty King Charles III by asking the pupils to create these wonderful dishes suitable for a celebration event.”
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