As the King arrived in Scotland, he made a lighthearted comment about his frequent mishaps with fountain pens. This remark came as Charles, 75, visited a peat bog in Forsinard Flows, Sutherland, which had recently been designated as a Unesco world heritage site. The area is said to hold approximately 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than all the carbon stored in UK woodlands combined. While signing a book inside the visitor center, Charles jokingly mentioned, “I’m hoping that my pen is going to work. It doesn’t usually.”
History of Fountain Pen Mishaps
The King’s frustration with fountain pens is not a new phenomenon. Shortly after ascending to the throne in September 2022, Charles expressed his annoyance with a leaky fountain pen during a visit to Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. The viral moment captured on camera showed him exclaiming, “I can’t bear this b***** thing” as he struggled with the pen. Following the realization that he had written the wrong date, Charles stood up and exclaimed, “Oh God I hate this, oh look it’s going everywhere, I can’t bear this b***** thing, what they do every stinking time.”
Despite his previous frustrations, the King seemed to poke fun at himself during a visit to Dunfermline, Scotland in October 2022. While signing a visitor’s book, he handed the pen to his wife with a laugh, saying, “These things are so temperamental.” This self-deprecating humor showcased the King’s ability to find lightness in his mishaps with fountain pens.
During his visit to Scotland before his traditional stay at Balmoral, Charles donned Highland dress, complete with a Sgian Dubh (a dagger hidden in his sock) and a cornflower in the lapel of his tweed jacket. He unveiled a plaque commemorating the area’s designation as the seventh world heritage site in Scotland and the 35th in Britain. As a nature lover and patron of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Charles met with representatives from the charity, NatureScot, and the Highland Council. He also attended a community festival where he humorously commented on the quality of the venison burgers being served.
The King and Queen are expected to host their families at Balmoral, their Scottish residence, with the Castle closing to the public on 11 August. This gathering serves as a time for the royal family to come together and enjoy each other’s company in the serene surroundings of Balmoral. It is a tradition that symbolizes the importance of family bonds and spending quality time together away from the pressures of public life.
The King’s fountain pen mishaps have become a light-hearted source of amusement and self-deprecating humor. Despite his frustrations with fountain pens, Charles has managed to find the funnier side of these mishaps and turn them into memorable moments during his visits to Scotland. His ability to laugh at himself and make light of the situation showcases a charming and relatable side to the King’s personality.
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