“Building sustainable communities and transforming lives”
The King’s Foundation, a charity established by King Charles III in 1990, is inspired by His Majesty’s vision and values. It focuses on fostering harmony between people, places, and the planet by building and supporting thriving communities.
Each year, The King’s Foundation provides educational courses for over 15,000 students and health and wellbeing programmes benefiting nearly 2,000 people. It also leads placemaking and regeneration projects both in the UK and abroad, revitalising communities and preserving heritage buildings.
Headquartered at its flagship regeneration project, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, The King’s Foundation also serves as custodian of historic royal sites, including the Castle of Mey in Caithness and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire.
The King’s Foundation extends its work through educational and cultural hubs in London, including The King’s Foundation School for Traditional Arts in Shoreditch, Trinity Buoy Wharf on the River Thames, and the Garrison Chapel in Chelsea.
Beyond the UK, The King’s Foundation carries out programmes and projects across more than a dozen locations within the Commonwealth. Countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, and Sierra Leone have benefited from the Foundation’s partnerships with local organisations, focusing on town planning, regeneration, and sustainable development.
“I feel very lucky to have been part of the Modern Artisan programme. I never thought a career in fashion was a possibility for me, but meeting all the different people involved has been such an amazing opportunity. The programme has given me so much knowledge and so many contacts for the future.”
Emily Rose Dey, Modern Artisan Graduate.
The King’s Foundation is a charity that relies upon the generosity of its donors and supporters to develop and deliver its education programmes, its projects and properties portfolio. Their contributions enable the foundation to:
- Provide 15,000 education places annually.
- Offer over 150 short courses and public lectures available public through The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.
- Care for the gardens at Dumfries House, Highgrove, and the Castle of Mey
- Care for 950 animals at the Home Farm on the Dumfries House Estate.
- Welcome 230,000 visitors each year to Dumfries House and its grounds, with over 30,000 additional visitors to Highgrove annually.
The King’s Foundation and Horticulture
Sustainability is the cornerstone of The King’s Foundation.
The charity plays a vital role in horticulture, championing initiatives that foster environmental sustainability, education, and community engagement. The King’s Foundation supports a range of horticultural projects aimed at enhancing green spaces, improving biodiversity, and inspiring a deeper connection with nature. These efforts include creating vibrant gardens, restoring historic landscapes, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
In addition to hands-on projects, The King’s Foundation provides educational opportunities, teaching people of all ages the benefits of gardening and the importance of environmental stewardship. By partnering with local communities and organisations, The Foundation ensures its horticultural initiatives leave a lasting impact, enriching lives and promoting a greener, more sustainable future.
Dumfries House and Gardens
The King’s Foundation was instrumental in the restoration and development of Dumfries House Estate and Gardens. The gardens at Dumfries House were revitalised with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and creating spaces that are both beautiful and educational. The King’s Foundation funded the creation of an educational centre at Dumfries House that offers horticultural training and promotes environmental awareness. The estate now includes a mix of formal and informal garden spaces, with sustainable planting schemes designed to enhance biodiversity and support local wildlife, while also serving as a place for visitors to engage with nature.
Highgrove Gardens
The King’s Foundation acts as custodian of the iconic Highgrove Gardens which surround the much-loved private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The gardens welcome almost 30,000 visitors between April and October every year, who can share in Their Majesties’ enjoyment of the gardens. Managed organically and sustainably, the gardens have been shaped by The King’s artistic vision over 40 years, and have become an important haven for flora and fauna.
The King’s Foundation works to share the garden’s values and its innovative practices through educational programs and tours.
Education at The King’s Foundation
The King’s Foundation’s educational programmes at Dumfries House and Highgrove feature a wide range of horticulture courses, but horticulture also enriches many other initiatives. For example, the dye garden at our educational workshops at Highgrove supports our education programmes in traditional skills by supplying plants used in textile courses to create natural fabric dyes in various colours. Students in woodwork courses have crafted garden furniture, such as benches, while a recent highlight saw a student from the thatching course restore the treehouse at Highgrove. These interconnected efforts demonstrate how horticulture supports creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainable practices across The King’s Foundation’s diverse programmes.
How Hillier is Supporting The King’s Foundation
At Hillier, we are proud to be supporting The King’s Foundation through various fundraising activities and special events across the year that our Hillier Gardening Club members can take part in.
We are proud to support the charity on occasion by providing items such as plants for their dye garden and sharing our horticultural expertise with both students and visitors.
Join the Hillier Gardening Club for free and sign up to receive exclusive invitations to events and updates on our ongoing support.
Should you wish to support The King’s Foundation or became a regular giver as the charity celebrates 35 years:
Donate NowHighgrove Gardens – 2025 Events
Special events for 2025:
| 15th & 20th May | Topiary Tour with Highgrove gardener |
| 14th May & 25th June | Garden Tour with the Head Gardener |
| 18th June & 23rd July | Herbal Tour |
Book today on Highgrove Gardens’ website.
The King’s Foundation. Registered in Scotland. Charity No. SC038770.
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