Of all the things King Charles could have expected to hear yelled at him, “What do you think of my nails?” likely wasn’t anywhere near the top of the list.
Nevertheless, the King gamely stepped up to the barrier and inspected the manicure of a woman in the crowd who’d turned up during his visit to Tomintoul, Scotland. He could be overheard asking her, “My goodness, how long did it take you to do those?”
This after he’d thought the woman meant actual nails instead of fingernails. The King and his personal protection officers were about to enter their car when the woman shouted her question; The King could be seen looking behind him for said nails before he realised what she’d actually meant.
The charming exchange took place as The King was in the highest village of the Highlands to visit an energy efficient housing project and tour both the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Discovery Centre, and the Tomintoul in the Cairngorms National Park.
The Auld School Close, the energy efficient housing project, is located on the site of an old school and cost £3.3 million to implement.
Welcomed by the skirl of bagpipes, performed by the Dufftown Pipe Band, The King also met with gathered schoolchildren and chatted in French to others who’d shown up to greet him.
Alasdair Sharp, a member of the Glenlivet Development Trust Board, told reporters that The King’s visit was hugely important to the village. “It’s very good for the community that the King is visiting. To come to our little community is pretty important, we are neighbours.”
On social media, the Royal Family channels posted, “Thank you to everyone who came out to say hello in Tomintoul! ?”
King Charles and Queen Camilla have been at Balmoral Castle since mid-August, having marked the first anniversary of his accession privately at the Royal Family’s Scottish retreat.
Next week, Their Majesties will undertake a State Visit to France.
