King Charles shares a sweet moment with the Royal Regiment's cheeky mascot who used to eat the late Queen's flowers as he arrives at Balmoral

King Charles looked dashing today in a traditional kilt as he arrived in Scotland in preparation to take up residence at Balmoral Castle.

Upon arriving at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire on Monday, the King paused to inspect the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland as well as their mascot Shetland pony, before readying for a his summer residence in the castle.

During the inspection, Charles has the pleasure of greeting the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the cheeky Shetland pony, Cruachan IV.

Charles donned a traditional kilt complete with shades of purple, green and brown, alongside a matching tie, immaculately polished boots and natural red stockings.

The look was completed with a tweed blazer and waistcoat and a sporran pouch traditionally worn as part of Scottish Highland dress.

King Charles arrived at Balmoral castle today to commence his summer stay at the Scottish residence

The King pictured sharing a sweet moment with Shetland pony, Cruachan IV, (pictured) who is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Balmoral was the favourite home of the late Queen Elizabeth and where she died in September 2022. She spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle.

The King has decided to continue the tradition - and the trip comes as a well-earned break for the monarch after returning to public duties amid his ongoing treatment for cancer.

Upon arriving, the King enjoyed an adorable moment where he gave the Regiment's mascot, Cruachan IV, a stroke on the nose. 

The King reached a cautious arm out to the pony who proceeded to lift up his lip in an attempt to nibble his fingers - fortunately Charles' escaped just in time.

Cruachan IV is a jet black shetland pony who was first presented to the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2012.

The petite Scottish pony donned his usual fineries - the four legged mascot is entitled to wear the operational medals awarded to the Regiment during his role. 

He arrived from Clothie Stud in Dyce and was gifted to the regiment when he was four-years-old, later resulting in him having the nickname, Four. 

After being presented to and approved by the queen, the adorable little pony undertook his first official engagement in 2013. 

The King reached a cautious arm out to the pony who proceeded to lift up his lip in an attempt to nibble his fingers - fortunately Charles' escaped just in time

Charles donned a traditional kilt complete with shades of purple, green and brown, alongside a matching tie, immaculately polished boots and natural red stockings

The King The completed the look with a tweed blazer and waistcoat and a sporran pouch traditionally worn as part of Scottish Highland dress

Pictured: Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, before an inspection by King Charles

Members of The Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion awaited inspection from the King of England 

The Royal Regiment of Scotland greeted the king upon his arrival at Balmoral castle

Cruachan is often seen at the head of many of the Regiment's ceremonial events as well as serving as a regular visitor to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Royal Guard at Balmoral.

The cheeky pony had met the late Queen on a number of occasions including a few in which a brazen Cruachan made a grab to nibble on Her Majesty's flowers.

In 2017, the cheeky chap made a beeline for the queen's flowers as she walked past though he was quickly put in his place by the firm voice of Elizabeth who exclaimed 'he always eats the flowers' before giving him an affectionate scratch on the muzzle.

At another meeting in 2018, Cruachan managed to restrain himself in front of the late queen, leaving her flowers untouched. ]

When not dressed in his fineries to serve as the Scottish regiment's mascot, Cruachan can be found with his companion and fellow Shetland pony, Nightcap.

The two live Redford Barracks in Edinburgh where both are cared for by the Regiment’s Pony Major.

Yesterday, Charles and Camilla, 77, were snapped heading to Crathie Kirk - a regular place of worship for the royal family while staying at their summer residence in Scotland.

Charles looked smart in traditional Highlands wear as he arrived at Balmoral before taking up his summer residence in the castle

The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals march before King Charles inspects the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion

Members of the public gathered to watch the royal inspection as Charles arrived at the estate in Scotland 

Charles greeted members of the public upon his arrival 

Charles pictured greeting Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals

The King is currently on his summer break but has been updated daily on the unrest in the country and recently spoke out to praise people's 'resilience' in countering aggression

The King is currently on his summer break but has been updated daily on the unrest in the country and recently spoke out to praise people's 'resilience' in countering aggression.

The arrival to Scotland comes amid tensions with his brother.

The Duke of York may have been set an autumn deadline to leave Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

The ultimatum has come from the monarch, who has long been trying to his disgraced younger brother out of the property with previous reports claiming he wants to rent it out for £1million a year.

However, Andrew has been reluctant to do so, having signed a 75-year lease with the Crown Estate when he moved in in 2003 on condition of making a £1million down payment and paying £260,000-a-year in rent.

There is also the added complication of much-needed repairs to the buildings on the property, some of which have fallen into disrepair and the bill for renovations already rising to £7million.

Charles's overtures to get Andrew to leave appear to have taken a new twist after it was reported he had told his brother's security team their services will no longer be required.

The monarch has been funding private guards at the mansion since Andrew's armed cops - costing £3million a year - were removed in 2022 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Charles looked smart as he completed the inspection 

The King stood proudly while observing the playing of the national anthem

The King has decided to continue the tradition of a royal summer stay in Balmoral - and the trip comes as a well-earned break for the monarch after returning to public duties amid his ongoing treatment for cancer

Balmoral was the favourite home of the late Queen Elizabeth and where she died in September 2022. She spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle

Charles stood and observed during the National Anthem before inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland

A Palace insider told The Sun on Sunday: 'Everyone is speculating this means the Duke will have to leave the Royal Lodge because what other reason could there be to take his security away?'

The source added that the team have not left their roles straight away, but will continue to work until their contract expires at the end of October, with no replacement lined up.

They added: 'It isn't a secret that the King wants him out.'

The same publication reported earlier this year that Charles could even cut off Andrew from the £4million-a-year he gives his younger brother to stay afloat.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Andrew had rejected the opportunity to move to Frogmore Cottage, which is nearby and used to be the UK home of Harry and Meghan.

The King is reportedly eager to generate commercial revenue from the mansion as soon as he can boot out the Duke.

Andrew - who remains an outcast from public life amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile Epstein - has reportedly already spent nearly £7million carrying out extensive renovations and repairs to the property.

He has refused all requests by his brother to move into the smaller Frogmore Cottage.

Andrew downsizing to live at Frogmore Cottage would make a significant saving, with friends of the King saying he would continue to pay for mobile security, but would not have to provide static security for the building.

Despite his possible money worries, sources close to the Duke said back in January: 'Andrew is going nowhere. He has a cast iron lease.'