In a recent visit to Dumfries House in Scotland, King Charles III and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner found common ground over their experiences with young interviewers. The royal and political figures spent time with youth from the King's Trust, participating in nature activities and discussing violence reduction programs.
The monarch and the Deputy PM shared a lighthearted moment regarding children's interviewing skills. Rayner remarked, "We were just saying how ruthless young people can be when they interview you," to which King Charles responded with amusement, "Have you had the treatment [too]?"
This exchange highlighted the King's long history of interactions with young people. In 1983, during an Australian radio phone-in, a five-year-old inquired about His Majesty's barbecuing preferences. More recently, in 2017, a nine-year-old girl in India elicited a playful promise from the then-Prince to "build a fort" when he became King.
Rayner shared her own experiences with youth engagement, recalling a July 2024 visit to Ashton Sixth Form College. There, she introduced herself as "Ange" and discussed Labour's challenges in government, humorously noting that she'd be "running the country" if anything happened to the Prime Minister.
The visit to Dumfries House, an 18th-century Palladian mansion saved for the nation by King Charles in 2007, showcased the monarch's commitment to youth and environmental causes. The royal guests met with young woodland "experts" participating in nature activities organized by the King's Foundation, which focuses on sustainable development and traditional arts.
A significant portion of the visit was dedicated to hearing "incredibly powerful" testimonies from two young men who had transformed their lives after being involved in violence. This session, attended by members of the Police Scotland-led Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, highlighted the impact of Trust programs in helping youth find meaningful work and change their life trajectories.
"I'm so grateful to you, and I look forward to updates on the progress you are making. Thank you."
Rayner echoed the King's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for young people to find their voice and help others. She stated, "It's incredibly powerful and hopefully the work you're doing now and what you are achieving is giving opportunities to other people as well."
This collaborative effort between the monarchy and government underscores the ongoing commitment to youth development and violence reduction in the UK. The King's Trust, founded by Charles in 1976, has helped over 1 million young people since its inception and now operates in 13 countries worldwide.
As the visit concluded, both King Charles and Deputy PM Rayner expressed their gratitude for the work being done by these initiatives, reinforcing the importance of continued support for programs that empower and guide the nation's youth.