Shetland Pony's Antics Amuse King Charles at Royal Residence

As King Charles officially started his summer residence at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on August 18, 2025, he was greeted by a familiar face—a Shetland pony mascot with a reputation for mischief.

The 76-year-old monarch, dressed in a kilt, inspected troops from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and once again met with their mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV. While the pony appeared to be on its best behavior, exchanging a few words with the handler and receiving a pat on the nose from the King, Cruachan has not always been so well-behaved.

During the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth, the pony was known for some scene-stealing behavior. In 2017, Cruachan attempted to take a bite of the flowers being held by the Queen during a visit to Stirling Castle. The following year, the pony relieved itself during the ceremonial welcome to Balmoral Castle, causing the Queen to turn and cover her nose with her hand. Nodding to the pony's naughty reputation, the Queen once quipped, "Here we are again," upon seeing the mascot.

Despite these past antics, the pony seems to have learned to behave in the presence of King Charles, who is now continuing the royal family's tradition of spending summers at the Scottish Highlands castle and estate, which was purchased by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1845.