King Charles III Engages with Craft Students at Annual Event

King Charles III addressed the “battle” to uphold “timeless skills” during an encounter with artisans dedicated to preserving traditional crafts. The monarch was present at The King’s Foundation’s yearly Crafts at Christmas gathering, held at his Highgrove residence in Gloucestershire last Friday. Graduate students enrolled in a furniture program offered the King a container of baubles crafted from alder, oak, and cedar. Emily Rose Saunders, a student at the foundation, expressed that witnessing the King’s enthusiasm for crafts was “really exciting.” The King’s Foundation operates as an educational charity, drawing inspiration from His Majesty’s principles and outlook. Annually, it provides instruction to nearly 15,000 students, alongside health and wellbeing initiatives and restoration efforts aimed at invigorating communities and historical structures both within the UK and internationally. Ms. Saunders noted that the King appeared “really engaged” with those present at the gathering and showed curiosity about their artistic works. A primary interest for the milliner is straw plaiting, a method she hopes to “bring back into the modern world” through the support of the King and the fashion brand Chanel, which funds her studies. She further stated: “We wouldn’t be here without His Majesty, and to be able to have that support from both him and Chanel means that we are able to have this time. When else would you be able to have eight months where you can solely learn a skill? It’s really nice to be able to meet him and thank him for that, really.” During the occasion, the King also heard carols performed by members of Rock Choir and received a cone of roasted chestnuts from vendor Paul Venn. Mr. Venn recounted: “When I handed him the nuts he says he loves them, but he ate so many when he was young he couldn’t eat another.” For updates, follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submit your story concepts to us via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.