100 DAYS AFTER HIS CORONATION THE KING HAPPY AND GLORIOUS AS HE MARKS A MAJESTIC MILESTONE IN SCOTLAND

'He seems far more relaxed than he used to be and there is a joyous mood around him Ingrid Seward

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

As the royal family headed to Scotland for their annual summer break, the joy on the King's face was plain to see - and he has every reason to smile.

His Majesty appeared to be having the time of his life at the Mey Highland Games, getting into the spirit of the event with a wee dram while watching Scottish dancing, bagpipes and a tug of war.

Dressed in a kilt, tweed jacket, red woollen socks and sporran, the 74-year-old monarch, who is chieftain of the games, mingled with the crowds at the John O'Groats Showground in Caithness, beaming from ear to ear.

The King's good mood was no doubt buoyed by the news that his estates have returned a profit for the first time since the pandemic, thanks in part to almost two million visitors to royal residences including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse over the past year.

CHANGING FORTUNES

Figures show ticket sales have generated the Royal Collection Trust a net profit of £8m, £2m above target, while sales of items commemorating Elizabeth II's life and her Platinum Jubilee last year raised £24.1m - more than double the previous year's take for the trust's memorabilia.

It is quite a turnaround for the trust, a charity that relies entirely on admission fees and commercial activities. It was £15m in deficit last year and more than £36m in the red the year before.

But whatever the cause, the King was in high spirits in Mey, where he also visited Canisbay Parish Church, chatting to locals and planting a tree in the grounds - again, with a big smile.