King Charles, known for his deep love of gardening, had a refreshing break from routine on Thursday as he stepped into the gardens of Windsor Castle.

Joined by Queen Camilla and the Swedish monarchs, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, the royal group took part in a tree-planting ceremony.

In honor of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation nearly two years ago, the Swedish royals gifted them a “beautiful” Swedish oak, which they planted together under the warm May sun.

The King showed his appreciation, joking, “With any luck it’ll take to the soil, I hope,” and thanked the Swedish royal gardeners.

Adding a historical touch to the moment, King Carl Gustaf used a spade once wielded by his great-grandfather, Gustavus V, when he planted an English oak in Windsor Great Park in 1908—a tree that still stands strong today.

The gesture was made even more symbolic as the newly planted oak is paired with another to be planted by Crown Princess Victoria in Stockholm’s Royal Djurgården, reinforcing the friendship between the royal families.

King Charles, a lifelong gardening enthusiast, once shared advice on BBC Radio 4, even recalling an injury from staking trees. “I cut off the end of my finger once.

Had to go to Swindon Hospital to get it sewn back on,” he said, emphasizing the importance of care—and caution—in the garden.