It’s not every day that you bump into royalty while enjoying a leisurely bike ride. But for a group of mountain bikers in the Scottish Highlands, that’s precisely what happened.
As they pedaled through the picturesque trails of Balmoral, they came face-to-face with none other than King Charles himself.
Video of King Charles with Cyclists in Balmoral
According to Hello Magazine, the British royals, especially King Charles, are known for their love of long walks in the Balmoral estate.
However, the group of cyclists was taken aback when they encountered the monarch taking a solo stroll.
Captured in a video by Andrew McAvoy, known as McTrail Rider on YouTube, the footage shows the bikers pausing their ride upon spotting a casually dressed King Charles.
The monarch, donning a wax jacket and a flat cap, seemed more than willing to engage in a friendly chat. He inquired if the cyclists had traversed the route before.
When one of them asked if he was on his summer vacation to Balmoral, Charles affably responded, “It is.”
Reflecting on the unexpected royal encounter, Andrew McAvoy remarked, “That was a king! What a nice man! Lovely man had time for us.” He further added, “The king is a nice man, and he’s walking when everyone else is driving.”
While the video shows King Charles walking alone, McAvoy clarified on his YouTube channel that the king was very much protected.
Although no guards were visible in the footage, there was ample security nearby, and several vehicles had scouted the route before and after the king’s walk.
A Summer in Balmoral
King Charles and Queen Camilla followed the tradition set by the late Queen Elizabeth II, spending their summer break at the Balmoral estate. The royal couple hosted several family members during their stay, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
After their summer retreat, the king and queen resumed their official duties, marking their presence in France for a state visit.
The trip saw King Charles making history in the French Senate, while Queen Camilla dazzled in Dior and sapphire jewels during a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles.