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The King’s Foundation celebrates 35th anniversary with a time capsule to be opened in 100 years

January 15, 2025

His Majesty The King, Royal Founding President of The King’s Foundation, launched our 35th anniversary celebrations today at our charity headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The King’s Foundation has, over the past 35 years, enriched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through community regeneration projects and education programmes in traditional skills, as well as advocating for living in harmony with nature.

The King visits Dumfries House to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The King’s Foundation.

The King launched a time capsule to mark The King’s Foundation at 35, a project which will run throughout the year. The time capsule will eventually be buried on the Dumfries House estate and opened in one hundred years’ time. His Majesty placed the first item, his secateurs that he uses for gardening on the estate, into the specially-created box before hearing from other guests gathered about their own contributions. His Majesty also penned a special letter to rest in the time capsule.

“We are so proud of what The King’s Foundation has achieved over the past 35 years. I hope those uncovering the time capsule in 2125 will recognise the positive impact both The King and His Foundation have had on the world and its communities.”

Kristina Murrin CBE, Chief Executive of The King’s Foundation

The time capsule was designed and made in oak at the Snowdon School of Furniture, part of The King’s Foundation at Highgrove, by King’s Foundation alumni Aiden Lawley. Aiden was a furniture making student on the Snowdon Summer School in 2024, based at Highgrove Gardens, and was delighted to be asked back to work on this project.

Alan Titchmarsh shows Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster his time capsule item, his favourite gardening mug.

The design of the time capsule has been left intentionally plain to both celebrate the British timber used and to give space for other students and alumni to add decorative elements throughout the year. The box in itself will therefore become a tribute to The Kings Foundation’s work to protect and promote traditional heritage skills. The time capsule is made from oak from Woburn, Bedfordshire, milled and supplied by Whitney Sawmill, a mill owned and run by Woodland Heritage, of which His Majesty The King is Patron.

Throughout our 35th year, The King’s Foundation will collect items for the time capsule which individuals and groups feel represent the achievements and legacy of The King’s Foundation. The time capsule will not be opened until 2125.

“We are thrilled to begin celebrations for our 35th anniversary today at Dumfries House, which is not only our headquarters but very much the heart of The King’s Foundation. Our early work at the Institute for Architecture formed the basis of the expanding and expansive work which is epitomised at Dumfries House today, so it is only fitting to celebrate this milestone on site with His Majesty The King and our students, alumni, staff and ambassadors.”

Kristina Murrin CBE, Chief Executive of The King’s Foundation

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