A striking new photograph of King Charles III wearing his personally designed tartan has been released to mark Burns Night, showcasing the monarch’s deep connection to Scottish heritage from within Balmoral Castle’s historic library.

The portrait, captured by royal photographer Millie Pilkington last autumn, features the King in a kilt made from the recently created King Charles III tartan. The distinctive green, blue, and red pattern, designed by the Scottish Tartans Authority in 2023, pays tribute to His Majesty’s commitment to preserving Highland dress traditions.

The image offers a rare glimpse inside the Royal Family’s beloved Scottish retreat, where the King is pictured wearing traditional Highland dress complete with a matching tie and brown sporran. The tartan itself is based on the historic Balmoral pattern, which dates back to around 1850.

Pilkington, who previously captured the Prince and Princess of Wales’s wedding in 2011 and shot the King and Queen’s Christmas card last year, took the photograph ahead of Burns Night – the annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

The timing of the release is particularly poignant as the King prepares for his first official engagement of 2024, traveling to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The visit represents a significant moment for the monarch, coming nearly a year after his cancer diagnosis and subsequent return to public duties.

The photograph not only celebrates Scotland’s cultural heritage but also demonstrates the King’s ongoing recovery and return to full public life following his treatment last year.