King shares dram with Swinney at reception celebrating Scottish business owners

The King shared a dram with Scotland’s First Minister while hosting Scottish business owners at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The reception brought together various entrepreneurs, business owners, investors and capital investment firms to celebrate Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit.

During the reception in the Throne Room, the King and Mr Swinney met investors, business representatives and leaders from industries including technology, healthcare and AI.

The meeting started with whisky tasting, as guests met representatives from Rosebank Distillery which was founded in Falkirk in 1840.

The King tasted a 31-year-old Rosebank whisky which he claimed had a taste of toffee.

Rosebank managing director Leonard Russell and his son Tom Russell, who is head of export at Rosebank, said Charles has expressed interest in their business and had correctly identified the toffee notes.

“He said its got notes of toffee which is what you get from long aged whisky.”

The family run business said they were “honoured” to share their business success with the King.

The King and Queen were both in Scotland as the Duke of Sussex’s trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail got under way at the High Court in London on Monday.

Harry appeared in person at the Royal Courts of Justice to follow proceedings.

He is expected to give evidence on Thursday.

In written submissions on behalf of the duke, barrister David Sherborne said Associated Newspapers Limited’s methods of information-gathering left him “paranoid beyond belief” and created a “massive strain” on personal relationships.