King Charles becomes The Ranger of Windsor Great Park as he turns 74

King Charles has seen in his 74th birthday, his first on the throne, with a stunning and unusual portrait photographing him in a new and natural role.

A fresh picture of King Charles reclining against an oak tree has been released to mark the monarch officially becoming The Ranger of Windsor Great Park on his 74th birthday.

It comes 70 years after his father the Duke of Edinburgh was first appointed to the post.

It is thought the green-fingered king’s passion for the environment will offer clear oversight and guidance to the Deputy Ranger and his team in the day-to-day stewardship of one of the country’s oldest landed estates.

Windsor Great Park is a very popular destination for visitors with over five million people visiting each year and is home to magnificent horticultural displays, woodland shores, historic features, wildflowers and deer.

Handout image issued by Buckingham Palace of King Charles III posing for a photograph with an ancient oak tree in Windsor Great Park to mark his appointment as Ranger of the Park. Picture: AFP

The role at Windsor can trace its roots back to 1559 when Sir Henry Neville was appointed Ranger in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I.

Over the last 460 years, the post of Ranger has been held by the Sovereign and other family members, including The King’s father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Grandfather, King George VI.

Prince Philip was the longest serving Ranger – appointed by Queen Elizabeth in 1952 and holding the role for nearly seventy years until he died in 2021.

The Duke of Edinburgh took an active role in spearheading developments when he held the post, including reintroducing red deer to the Deer Park in 1979 and developing The Savill Garden Visitor Centre and Virginia Water Pavilion.

Paul Sedgwick, The Crown Estate’s Managing Director, Rural and Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park, said: “We are honoured to have His Majesty as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, continuing a long tradition of the Sovereign and members of the Royal Family holding this role.

The autumn colours of the leaves on the trees line The Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, leading to Windsor Castle. Picture: AFP

Queen Elizabeth II (right) and her younger sister Princess Margaret in the grounds of the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park in 1940. Picture: Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

“Windsor has a wonderful heritage with many precious natural habitats. His Majesty’s passion and commitment to the natural world will be invaluable as we seek to become a centre of excellence for environmental best practice, preserving and enhancing the Great Park for generations to come.”

The Crown Estate manages the Windsor Estate, encompassing some 15,800 acres - including Windsor Great Park, Home Park, Swinley Forest; the award-winning Savill and Valley Gardens; and the famous, tree-lined Long Walk.

The Great Park is internationally renowned for its collection of veteran and ancient Oak and Beech trees and in 2012, Ranger’s Avenue, a row of young native oaks, was planted in honour of Prince Philip.

PRINCE HARRY’S TOUCHING LETTER

Prince Harry has written to the children of deceased British military saying they share a bond by having lost a parent.

In his letter sent to members of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for bereaved British Forces children, Prince Harry said he knows “first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss” and wanted to reassure them “you are not alone”.

The Duke of Sussex said the children where in his “thoughts and heart” this Remembrance Sunday and revealed how he copes with his grief over losing his mother Princess Diana at a young age.

“We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent,” Prince Harry wrote.

“I know first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss and want you to know that you are not alone.”

Prince Harry says he shares a special bond with a group of bereaved British children. Picture: Getty Images

“‘While difficult feelings will come up today as we pay tribute to heroes like your mum or dad, I hope you can find comfort and strength in knowing that their love for you lives and shines on,” The Duke of Sussex’s letter continued.

“Whenever you need a reminder of this, I encourage you to lean into your friends at Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

“One of the ways I’ve learned to cope has been through community and talking about my grief, and I couldn’t be more grateful and relieved that you have amazing people walking beside you throughout your journey.

“We all know some days are harder than others, but together those days are made easier.

“Today and every day, I admire and respect all the men and women who have given their lives in service of us – especially those in your family.

“I am also incredibly proud of you for being the best example in remembering them.”

Britain's King Charles III his son Prince Harry, pictured on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry has a longstanding relationship with the charity.

The Duke’s letter comes as two members of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, shared how Remembrance Day helped them feel connected to their late father.

Luca-Beau, 8, honoured her late father CSgt Jamie Pallister who died by suicide before she was born, by laying a memorial wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of all bereaved military children.

“Remembrance is important to me because we get to remember daddy,” she said.

“Sometimes is makes be happy because we get to think about my dad and do lots of nice things to remember him but sometimes it makes me really sad because it reminds me I’m never going to meet him.”

KING CHARLES’ SUBTLE TRIBUTE TO QUEEN

A sombre King Charles led Britain in a two-minute silence to honour fallen heroes at a Remembrance Sunday service for the first time as monarch.

The King lay a poppy wreath of the same design as those laid by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and grandfather George VI in a touching tribute.

A wreath was also laid on Queen Consort Camilla’s behalf for the first time following Her Majesty’s death nine weeks ago.

(from left) Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Anne, Princess Royal attend Remembrance Sunday. Picture: AFP

King Charles III lays a wreath during the National Service Of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

A view of the wreath laid by King Charles III during the National Service Of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

King Charles wore the great coat of a No.1 Field Marshal as he honoured Britain’s war heroes.

Prince William and Princess Anne also joined him in paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country.

Camilla watched the moving service at the Cenotaph from a balcony with Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Camilla, Queen Consort. Picture: AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales. Picture: AFP

Both women at times looked genuinely emotional, with the Queen Consort appearing to wipe away a tear at one stage, and Catherine closing her eyes in acknowledgment of the gravity of the occasion.

Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward, Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra also attended.

Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in 2018. Picture: AFP

This year’s service was especially poignant for the royals as the Queen considered Remembrance Sunday one of the most important engagements on the royal calendar.

Her Majesty was forced to pull out of the event last year reportedly due to a “sprained back” and was said to be “deeply disappointed” to not make the service – the seventh she had missed in her 70-year reign.

Since 2017, King Charles has laid the wreath on behalf of his mother in what was seen as a subtle shift of the Queen’s duties.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Prime Minister Theresa May attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph. Picture: Getty Images

New British PM Rishi Sunak joined Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in laying a wreath at the Cenotaph after almost 10,000 veterans marched past the war memorial.

Ahead of the event, Mr Sunak said: “This year more than ever, we are reminded of the huge debt of gratitude we owe those who lay down their lives to protect their country.

“As we fall silent together on Remembrance Sunday, we will honour the memories of the men and women we have lost and pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine as they continue their fight for freedom.”

Catherine, Prince William, King Charles and Princess Anne at the annual Festival of Remembrance. Picture: AFP

The service came after the King and Queen Consort led senior royals in paying their respects on Saturday night at the annual Festival of Remembrance.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended the event.

A touching tribute was given to the Queen, who was a Royal British Legion patron and the longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.