A new documentary which follows King Charles’ commitment to save a dilapidated country house in Ayrshire will air on TV tonight.
Over a decade in the making, ‘A Royal Grand Design’ tells the story of King Charles’ ‘appalling risk’ to restore Dumfries House in Cumnock.
The then Prince of Wales bought the rundown estate in 2007 after leading a consortium which paid £45 million for the 18th century stately home.
His Majesty then launched an incredibly ambitious plan to transform the estate into a self-sufficient gem which would help to regenerate the local community.
Now, Dumfries House welcomes thousands of visitors from the across the globe each year and is home to a leading education programme, training up people of all ages and backgrounds in skills such as hospitality, horticulture, future textiles, and building crafts.
And as well as saving the estate for the nation to enjoy, King Charles also saved the estate’s priceless fixtures and furniture collections; furnishings, which were already in trucks bound for a London auction house.
A last-minute phone call diverted the rare and precious items back to Scotland – and now Dumfries House is home to the world’s largest and most complete collection of Chippendale furniture.
King Charles has since admitted his plan to bring Dumfries House back to life was as an “appalling risk” but one that was worth taking.
The hour-long programme – filmed in the years running up to King Charles’ accession to the crown – gives an intimate insight into the King’s vision and unswerving dedication to the Ayrshire country house.
Filmmaker and founder of B4Films, Jim Brown, is eager to share with viewers the project which dominated most of his professional life.
He said: “Over 14 years ago was the first of many days I filmed with the then Prince of Wales.
“When we took on the project, I anticipated it would take around two years of our time but fast-forward over a decade and it will be airing [tonight].
“The new King and I have now both become grandfathers – several times over – and as you’ll see in the film, our hair has changed colour.
“This one project has dominated my professional life for more years than I ever thought possible – but what an absolute honour and privilege to have had so much access to the now King and to have been introduced to the Queen.”
A Royal Grand Design will air on ITV1 this evening at 9pm.
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