21-07-2025
Your Midgesty! King launches own beard grooming products - made from a midge-repellant plant grown on Balmoral
The dreaded Highland midge is no respecter of rank – and not even a thick beard can stop them going after your Royal blood.
But now King Charles has launched a product that could help high-born and commoner alike battle the twin scourges of biting insects and untidy facial hair.
The Monarch's range of beard grooming products are made from a midge-repellent plant found on the Balmoral estate.
The King's 50,000-acre residence in Aberdeenshire is selling the collection of oils, washes and balms, made in collaboration with local beard care firm Hairy Highlander.
They have been infused with wild bog myrtle, hand-foraged from the estate grounds.
The plant has long been used for centuries by Highlanders to keep midges away.
Its leaves and twigs, when crushed and rubbed on the skin, release a fragrant oil that acts as a natural insect repellent.
Balmoral Castle and Estate also said that the shrub 'has long been valued in Highland tradition as part of skin-soothing botanical care – especially in harsh, weather-exposed conditions'.
The beard care products feature two signature scents. They are Laird – a bright, citrus-spiced blend of pink grapefruit, lemon verbena, and cinnamon leaf – and Chieftain – a grounding mix of Norwegian fir, cedarwood, and patchouli, inspired by Highland forests.
For 30ml of the Chieftain Organic Beard Oil the Balmoral online store charges £25 while a 200ml bottle of the Laird Organic Beard Wash costs £32. A 50ml tub of Chieftain Organic Beard Balm is £27.
In a statement, Balmoral Castle and Estate describes the products as 'Expertly crafted in the Highlands by Hairy Highlander. Now available as part of the Balmoral Exclusive Collection.'
Family firm Hairy Highlander crafts organic grooming products from wild-harvested botanicals and donates 10 per cent of its profits to rewilding northern Scotland, helping restore native habitats and support long-term ecological regeneration.
The company said it was 'a real honour to create this bespoke grooming range for Balmoral Castle'. Balmoral estate set up an online shop to sell merchandise last year and other products include a tartan throw priced at almost £1,000.
The store features a range of gifts inspired by the Royal residence including socks, dog leads, baby clothing and beanie hats.
The centrepiece of the collection is items made using the newly launched Balmoral hunting tartan which was created by leading designer Araminta Birse-Stewart.
They include a £962 cashmere tartan throw, a tartan scarf priced at £385 and a shawl made using the fabric which costs £140.
Balmoral has been used as a holiday getaway for the Royal Family since the reign of Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II passed away there aged 96 in September 2022.
The King is due to travel to Balmoral for his traditional summer holiday next month and the estate closes to the public on August 10.
