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King Charles III is well known for his passion for conservation and caring for the natural world. However, one of his more unusual interests may come as a surprise to some - his affection for red squirrels. Charles takes genuine delight in the presence of these charming woodland creatures, even allowing them to roam freely inside his homes.
The King has been a patron of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust since 2009. This national charity works to conserve and protect red squirrels in the UK, as the species is under threat from invasive gray squirrels. In 2021, Charles wrote a letter celebrating Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, praising the "charming and intelligent" animals. He expressed support for the trust's crucial work safeguarding "a precious part of our natural heritage."
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Charles' love of red squirrels is evident both inside and outside of his royal duties. According to Prince William, his father is "completely infatuated" with the red squirrels that live near Balmoral Castle in Scotland. William says Charles has even named the squirrels and allows them into the house. "If I sit quietly then they will do so around me," Charles explained in a social media post. He clearly takes pleasure in watching the curious creatures scamper around both inside and out.
The King's passion extends to ensuring the red squirrel is protected for generations to come. New coins produced by the Royal Mint feature endangered species like bees, puffins and of course, the red squirrel. This nods to Charles' conservation efforts on behalf of Britain's wildlife. During a visit to a red squirrel sanctuary in Scotland in 2014, he was presented with a stuffed toy version of the animal for his young grandson Prince George.
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Charles is passing on his love and concern for the natural world to his heirs. Speaking to Country Life magazine in 2018, Prince William said his father's focus on the environment was a big inspiration. "It's something I am keen to emulate and teach my children about," William stated. Indeed, conservation and protecting the environment have long been important values instilled within the royal family.
King Charles' affection for red squirrels is even seen at his Scottish residence of Balmoral Castle. He explained that the squirrels freely enter the castle and chase each other inside if he sits quietly. On occasion he has discovered squirrels delving into his jacket pockets hunting for nuts left behind. At the castle, Charles seems to generate Disneyesque imagery of coexisting peacefully with the woodland animals he holds so dear.
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While red squirrels may enjoy more privileged access inside Balmoral than most creatures, Charles' advocacy extends to all wildlife. Last year he collaborated on a unique range of fashion accessories highlighting sustainability. The King worked with designers Vin+Omi to create 100 limited edition silk scarves featuring floral motifs from Sandringham gardens.
Sold in the Sandringham Estate shop for £85 each, production offset its carbon footprint. Milk cartons from the estate canteen were transformed into furniture, and plastic bottles repurposed into microfiber textiles. This innovative collaboration saw royalty and eco-design combine to promote sustainability - an issue so important to both Charles and Britain's natural heritage. Whether hosting squirrels indoors or leveraging the royal platform, King Charles proves his sincere dedication to conservation time and again.
Protest Scheduled at Windsor Great Park
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It seems King Charles' affinity for wildlife may inspire protest as well as protection. Later this month, thousands are expected to descend on Windsor Great Park for an Extinction Rebellion (XR) occupation event called "Upgrade Democracy." While not directly targeting Charles, the planned protest seeks to pressure the monarch into doing more on environmental issues - a request likely aimed at his influence and platform on green matters.
Windsor Great Park has been chosen as the location due to its status as an "embodiment of a broken and unjust system" according to XR. Organizers state that corporate lobbying distorts politics away from urgent climate action, though they stress the protest is not aimed at any single individual like the king. Permission has been granted by the local council and police to allow up to 10,000 activists to camp out during the occupation.
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Charles will avoid the protest as he holidays in Scotland. However, given the King's lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy, XR's calls may echo his own beliefs even if the methods differ. Under his reign, royal backing for protecting wildlife and tackling climate change shows no signs of weakening. Yet with protests like these planned, the pressure on world leaders - and royalty - to accelerate action will surely intensify in the coming turbulent years.
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