In a dazzling display of royal benevolence, King Charles III has bestowed upon a rare breed of goat a title truly worthy of nobility. The goats, formerly known as Guernsey goats, will be honored with the grand title of “Royal Golden Guernsey Goats.”
During his recent visit to the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, the king, in his infinite wisdom, bestowed a grand honor upon the Guernsey goats residing there. This prestigious title applies to these goats regardless of their location.
Rebecca Martin, the proud owner of Summerville Tamsin, the eight-year-old goat used in the ceremony, couldn’t contain her excitement. She said, “Hopefully, this will raise awareness for the breed.”
During the ceremony, His Majesty petted the small goat and complimented its pale blond coat. It was indeed a moment for the ages.
According to the Rare Breeds Watchlist, these goats are classified as rare and “at risk.” They are prized for their amiable nature and remarkable milk production. Guernsey goats, a dairy breed, are distinguished by their golden skin and brown hair. They have a unique history dating back 200 years. The breed was considered extinct until Miriam Milbourne, a British woman, rediscovered them in the 1920s. During the 1940s, when Nazi forces occupied the island, she began keeping the goats, hiding them in her home.
Christopher Price, the chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, chimed in on the significance of this royal nod. He waxed lyrical about the goats’ historical importance and their role in biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and food production. “Being choosy in what they eat, their grazing can provide very specific environmental benefits,” Price stated.
“We are extremely grateful to His Majesty for his continued, greatly valued support for British rare native livestock and equine breeds,” Price added, laying the praise on thick.
