The King meets the 35 under 35 network for the first time at Dumfries House
King Charles III, Royal Founding President of The King’s Foundation, met the ‘35 under 35’ network for the first time at our headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The 35 under 35 is a network of young people chosen by The King’s Foundation to promote our work in our 35th anniversary year and beyond. The members represent the diverse areas we cover, from traditional craftsmanship, sustainable fashion, architecture, health, and environmental stewardship. We launched the nationwide search for the network earlier this year and the final network of 35 individuals includes innovators, creators and leaders in their respective fields.
At the special reception at Dumfries House, held in the Tapestry Room at the historic country house saved for Scotland by The King in 2007, the network had the opportunity to meet His Majesty, show The King an item representing their work and share their experiences of being part of The King’s Foundation so far. Each attendee placed their item into the Foundation’s anniversary time capsule, launched by His Majesty at Dumfries House in January, which will be buried for 100 years in early 2026.
Siobhan Mackenzie, Scottish fashion designer and creator of the official tartan for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, contributed a sample of the tartan and the official certification to the time capsule. Jo Rance, a contemporary landscape painter, contributed a painting of the Kitchen Garden created at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire. Angelica Ellis, an embroidery artist and alumna of The King’s Foundation and CHANEL Métiers d’art Embroidery Fellowship, contributed her ‘tambour’ hook, used for bespoke and couture embroidery.
“It is a tremendous honour to meet The King at Dumfries House as part of The King’s Foundation ‘35 under 35’. Being invited to contribute to the time capsule is particularly meaningful, as I am placing within it the official tartan certificate for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. As the appointed designer of the tartan, it is a privilege to share this work with His Majesty in his role as Head of the Commonwealth, especially as we prepare to shine a global spotlight on Glasgow.
Siobhan Mackenzie, 35 under 35 member
“This moment holds personal significance for me: my business was first supported by The King’s Trust when I launched in 2014, and to now be recognised a decade later by The King’s Foundation feels like a true full-circle journey and an opportunity to express my gratitude in person.”
The reception was part of the 35 under 35 network’s wider visit to the Dumfries House estate, during which they had the opportunity to learn about the charity’s history, mission and goals, participate in educational workshops, and explore the 2,000-acre estate.
“It was a privilege to meet His Majesty at the beautiful Dumfries House estate and to contribute to the time capsule. I am deeply grateful to The King’s Foundation for its unwavering support in protecting heritage crafts and creating sustainable pathways for future generations. Embroidery is one of humanity’s oldest arts, with traces of decorative stitching found more than 30,000 years old.
Angelica Ellis, 35 under 35 member
“As a graduate of The King’s Foundation & CHANEL Métiers d’Art Embroidery Fellowship in partnership with Le19M, I refined my skills to couture standard and built a life doing what I love. Placing this tambour hook in the time capsule feels like sending a stitch across centuries, a reminder that beauty made by hand endures beyond our own lifetimes.”
“It has been wonderful to have our ‘35 under 35’ at the charity’s headquarters, Dumfries House. It is entirely fitting that these young makers and changemakers, who work across the areas we are passionate about, meet our Royal Founding President, His Majesty The King, and contribute to our time capsule as we continue to celebrate our 35th anniversary.
Dame Ann Limb, Chair of Trustees for The King’s Foundation
“We are inspired by these young innovators and look forward to working with them for the rest of the year, and into the future.”