King Charles preparing for Christmas early as his country pile flogs festive goodies in August

THE King is preparing for Christmas early with his country pile flogging festive goodies in the middle of August.

His Highgrove House retreat has a range of Yuletide gift ideas for shoppers who want to start buying presents in summer.

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The King’s country pile is already flogging festive gifts[/caption]

PA

His Highgrove House retreat has a range of Xmas items for sale such as tea towels and Champagne flutes[/caption]

The monarch tells buyers: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year and it’s time to spread the festivities to every corner of your home with a selection of our great Christmas items.

“Serve up Christmas dinner with our beautifully embroidered tea towels and dress the dining table with our exclusive Highgrove Champagne flutes and wine glasses.

“Plus, get your Christmas meal off to the perfect start with our luxury handmade plastic-free crackers.”

The most expensive item is a “hand forged” set of poker and tongs for open fires at £375.

Tea towels are a tenner, Champagne glasses are £16 and Christmas puddings cost £15.

It comes just after The King adopted 31 rescue hens and given them a new life at the royal mansion – including one he has named Henrietta.

The royal flock included the one millionth to be rehomed by charity The British Hen Welfare Trust.

Charles, 75, agreed to provide a retirement home for the commercial egg-laying hens in the grounds of Highgrove, Glos.

One lucky hen who arrived at the countryside pile this week in a hand-crafted carrier marks the charity’s one millionth rehomed hen.