King Charles’ top gardener shared how he landed the job – and the unusual way he met the King and Queen
Sophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer
03:16, 04 Nov 2025
Highgrove is the family home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
A former Royal gardener has revealed the simple and clever way he managed to get a job looking after one of the UK’s most prestigious gardens. Having previously worked with King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales, he revealed all on ITV’s This Morning.
Speaking on the show, Jack Stooks explained that he was responsible for Highgrove House and Gardens, one of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s favourite homes in Gloucestershire. During the episode, he shared some great gardening tips – and how he landed the job that saw him work and carefully craft gorgeous gardens for 21 years.
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Admitting it was “quite an odd one”, he said: “I went to my uncle and aunt’s house in Hereford one weekend and it just so happened that the then Prince of Wales was coming to a church recital.” He went outside in the hopes of meeting the Royals, having never met one before, but sadly, they didn’t stay to chat.
However, he recalled: “During half-time they came to use their loo, so my uncle and aunt’s house loo. So I met the Prince of Wales coming out the loo in the hallway at their house and I thought ‘This guy seems nice’.”
And that’s when he penned a letter asking for a job. He said: “And there I was at Highgrove.” Alison quipped: “You don’t ask, you don’t get.”
According to the Highgrove Estate History official website: “His Majesty King Charles III came to Highgrove in 1980, and the house and gardens have since undergone many thoughtful innovations. When His Majesty first arrived, Highgrove possessed little more than a neglected kitchen garden, an overgrown copse, some pastureland, and a few hollow oaks.
“Today, after the hard work of many people, an interlinked series of gardens now unfolds in a succession of personal and inspiring tableaux, each reflecting HM The King’s interests and enthusiasms. Highgrove now welcomes up to 40,000 visitors a year.
“Above all, Highgrove is the family home of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”
Delving into its history, it added: “The house was originally styled ‘High Grove’ and was built between 1796 and 1798 on the site of an older property. In Georgian neo-classical style, its most likely architect was Anthony Keck, a local mason. Immediately before HM The King’s arrival, Highgrove was the home of Maurice Macmillan, son of Harold Macmillan, who was the British Prime Minister in the 1950s and early 1960s.”
This Morning continues on weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV X.
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