In pictures: King Charles begins summer stay at Balmoral

King Charles III meets Shetland pony Cpl Cruachan IV, mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

The King has marked the start of his summer residency at Balmoral with a military ceremony involving a Shetland pony.

King Charles inspected regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV as the animal stood with handler Corporal Rory Stewart.

A Guard of Honour was held by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) to officially welcome the King to the Aberdeenshire castle, although he attended a church service there on Sunday in a private capacity.

After the ceremony, there was a performance from the pipes and drums - formed by soldiers from across the regiment - in a display of pageantry which was closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The pipe band of 3 & 4 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland marched through the gates of Balmoral

King Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and wore his new tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation, 6 May 2023.

The monarch greeted tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany in temperatures which reached 23C (73F).

Cruachan IV, the mascot since 2012, was wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and embellished with medals.

King Charles greeted locals and tourists as he arrived

Members of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral

King Charles III inspects the Balaklava Company

The monarch shares a joke with members of the public

King Charles wore a tartan which was designed to mark his Coronation in May 2023

On Sunday King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived to attend a church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral