King Charles has received the first seedling from the famous 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree that was illegally chopped down in northern England last year.
The tree, which stood next to the Roman landmark Hadrian’s Wall, was found lying on its side, cut near the base, in September 2023.
Seeds from the tree were collected by the National Trust afterwards and staff have been carefully looking after them at the Plant Conservation Centre, the location of which is kept secret.
And now the first seedling has been given to King Charles, who is the charity’s patron.
When it has grown, the monarch will plant it in Windsor Great Park for visitors to enjoy as a symbol of the hope and beauty that can come from loss, the National Trust said.
In a statement on social media site X, Buckingham Palace said: “The @nationaltrust has presented The King — their Patron — with the first seedling grown from seed collected from the Sycamore Gap tree.
“The tree was a popular landmark which grew in a natural dip in the countryside along Hadrian’s Wall before it was chopped down in September 2023.
“When the seedling has grown, His Majesty hopes to scale it in Windsor Great Park, where in time the wind will help ensure that its seeds, in their turn, are still more widely distributed.”
The seedling was presented to the king on Monday, which marked Celebration Day, an annual day to remember the lives of those who have died.
Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, said: “It is wonderful news that His Majesty will one day have the very first sapling grown from this iconic tree.
“The new tree will be seen by many thousands each year and will be the first of many Sycamore Gap saplings planted at different places, in Northumberland and beyond.
“The swell of emotion we saw after the sycamore was felled goes to show how personally connected we all are to our natural heritage.
“These new green shoots are keeping the story of the Sycamore Gap alive, and are serving as a reminder of the simple and much-needed hope, joy and respite that nature can bring.”
Earlier this year, Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, were charged with causing criminal damage to the tree.
They were also charged with damaging the wall built in AD 122 by Emperor Hadrian to guard the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire.
Both are expected to appear in court again in June after Mr Graham entered not guilty pleas and Mr Carruthers entered no plea.