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Rod Stewart joins King for time capsule ceremony

PA Media King Charles, wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and light tie, on the right of the image placing a white letter into a large wooden box with a tartan blanket partially covering it. It is taking place indoors. Sir Rod Stewart, wearing a white turtleneck jumper under a beige jacket and with a beige strap covering his torso, and wife Penny Lancaster, wearing a beige dress, watch on.PA Media
King Charles met with Sir Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster before submitting his personal letter to the King's Foundation time capsule

King Charles has put a personal letter in a time capsule which will be buried in Ayrshire and opened in 100 years.

The King was the first person to place an item in the King's Foundation capsule at Dumfries House, near Cumnock, as part of the charity's 35th anniversary celebrations.

The monarch was joined by singer Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, at the ceremony for the organisation which he founded as the Prince of Wales' Institute of Architecture in 1990.

The charity plans to collect items which represent its work over the coming year before burying them in the capsule on the estate under the condition it is not to be opened until 2125.

King Charles founded the organisation to promote sustainability and the public's relationship with nature.

It supports about 15,000 students through nature-based education programmes every year and thousands more through community regeneration projects.

It was absorbed into the Prince's Foundation in 2018, which later became the King's Foundation following his ascension to the throne.

The charity is based at the Dumfries House estate, which was purchased by the King when he was Prince of Wales in 2007.

PA Media King Charles, wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and light tie, talks to Sir Rod Stewart, wearing a white turtleneck jumper under a beige jacket and with a beige strap covering his torso, and wife Penny Lancaster. Alan Titchmarsh, wearing a dark suit with a dark multi-coloured tie, looks on.PA Media
King Charles founded the charity in 1990 before it became absorbed into what was then the Prince's Foundation in 2018.

He was in residence at the estate when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, became gravely ill shortly before her death in September 2022.

The content of King Charles' letter will remain unknown until it is excavated in a century's time.

Kristina Murrin, the charity's chief executive, said: "We are so proud of what The King's Foundation has achieved over the past 35 years.

"I hope those uncovering the time capsule in 2125 will recognise the positive impact both the King and his foundation have had on the world and its communities."

King Charles also hosted an audience with Julius Maada Bio, president of Sierra Leone, at the property.

The King was joined by television presenter and charity ambassador Alan Titchmarsh at the event.

Stewart, 80, and Lancaster, also known as Lady Stewart, are among a number of well-known ambassadors of the charity.

Former England football captain David Beckham and actor Sienna Miller have also served in the role.

Stewart said: "We are so pleased to be coming on board as ambassadors for The King's Foundation and look forward to lending our support to this worthwhile cause, particularly during such a significant year for the charity."