King Charles has been outspoken about environmental issues long before it was commonplace to do so. Whether it’s driving a car that runs on wine and cheese or obsessing about switching off the lights, The King is always conscious of his environmental impact. According to former Highgrove House gardener Jack Stooks, Charles takes his green philosophy as far as his bathroom.
Stooks, who worked for The King for more than two decades, explains how his former boss had a special plumbing system installed at Highgrove so absolutely nothing went to waste—even his bath water
Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, Stooks says that instead of using a bubble bath solution, King Charles uses environmentally friendly lime oil. “He used to use one from the Highgrove Shop, and just a few drops in his bath,” the former royal staffer shares. “Lime oil has such a lovely scent, and it’s meant to be really good for your skin.”
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“But the main reason he used it was he developed this brilliant system where his used bath water is saved and used to water the garden—and the lime oil is safe to use on plants,” Stooks explains.
King Charles tends to the Highgrove gardens in 1986.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Charles examines herbs in his garden as his former chef watches on.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Instead of going down the drain, the lime oil-infused bath water is used to water the extensive gardens at Highgrove House, which are available for the public to tour on select dates throughout the year. “It’s plumbed in a way that the water goes straight into these big barrels outside, and the water is then used around the garden,” Stooks shares. “It’s very clever and it means nothing is wasted.”
Stooks isn’t the first royal employee to share stories about how The King “doesn’t like any waste.” Former Highgrove chef Visen Anenden recently told Marie Claire that Charles was “ahead of the curve” in terms of his views on organic foods and sustainability, noting that meals at his residences are made from local ingredients and food never went to waste.
“He’s always thinking about the environment and ways he can do his bit,” Stooks added, calling The King “so forward-thinking.”
“We all know he’s passionate about the world around us and he practices what he preaches.”
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