King of rock! Charles marks geological twinning between US and Scottish mountain ranges in the Cairngorms - and thanks those who fought summer wildfires

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:07 EDT, 16 September 2026 | Updated: 09:13 EDT, 16 September 2026 The King officially marked a geological twinning between Scotland and the US in the Cairngorms this morning by laying his hand on a piece of rock from a range that dates back 250 million years. Charles, 77, visited the National Park to celebrate a partnership between the mountains in the Highlands and Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, in the US. The Cairngorms and Appalachia once formed part of the same ancient mountain range, before geological forces gradually separated them across the Atlantic Ocean. Dressed in country attire, the monarch wore a tweed blazer with cream chinos and brown suede shoes for the Highlands trip. Charles also took a hiking stick along with him as he negotiated the picturesque Scottish terrain.The monarch also took time to pay tribute to those who tackled devastating wildfires in the eastern Highlands this summer. The King marked a historic geological twinning between the Scottish Highlands and Shenandoah National Park today The monarch spent time with those from the local community who were impacted by wildfires earlier this summer including community leaders, volunteers and landownersThe royal spent the morning personally thanking those involved in fighting the blazes that burned for five weeks in Scotland's scenic Glenmore Forest Park.More than 500 firefighters were deployed to the foothills of the Cairngorms after the wildfire first broke out on July 15th near the winter resort of Aviemore. The fires spread quickly, burning 3,300 hectares of land causing homes, businesses, campsites and ski facilities in the area to be evacuated.Alongside professional firefighters, the King also met community leaders, volunteers and landowners who were involved in both the evacuation and the aftermath. The Scottish wildfires not only wreaked havoc with nature but caused huge economic disruption at the height of the region's peak tourist season.Later, the King also marked the official new twinning partnership, touching the companion granite stone in the Cairngorms, which officially marks the relationship between the two ranges. The monarch seemed captivated by the story of the companion granite stone that officially marks the twinning of the two ranges The king meeting those who helped tackle the wildfires that broke out near Aviemore - causing the evacuation of homes and businesses in the areaThe mountain partnership was announced earlier this year during the King’s state visit to America, in recognition of the shared history between the US and the UK. The King and Queen's summer break at Balmoral continues with the royals attending church at Crathie Kirk, just outside the Balmoral royal residence, on Sunday. Earlier this week, Meghan Markle shared intimate insights into the Sussexes' new family life on UK shores with the release of nine new pictures to celebrate Harry's 42nd birthday. Meghan, who boasts 4.8million followers on Instagram, uploaded the sea of images of the prince with her and their children with the caption: 'He's simply the best. Happy birthday, my love,' along with a heart emoji.The montage is accompanied by husband-wife musical duo The Hound + The Fox's cover of Simply the Best.In one sweet snap, Harry is captured on an outdoor adventure with Meghan, 45, alongside Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, as well as their Labrador, Pula.Believed to have possibly been taken at Earl Spencer's home, Althorp, Harry is seen driving a quad bike down a narrow track with Lilibet and Archie sat on either side of an M&S food bag and Pula dutifully following behind.