King Charles sweetly hugs a well-wisher as he dons a kilt to visit Scottish homeless charity

King Charles received much love from royal fans during his visit a Scottish charity that helps homeless people on Thursday. 

The monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, travelled to The Gate Charity, in Alloa, which helps those who do not have permanent residence and are struggling to put food on the table.

Charles looked smart in his red and green tartan kilt, which he paired with a beige tweed blazer, matching waistcoat, crisp white shirt and an emerald and ruby-coloured stripy tie. 

He met with staff in the café area, taking his time to go around and chat with those at the charity. 

The royal, 75, smiled as he chatted with workers non-profit organisation, that operates with around 80 to 90 volunteers. 

Charles then made his way into the Gate’s food bank area, where volunteers talked him through how it operates, along with the positive impact it can have on those who need it the most.

Crowds formed outside the organisation’s building, with many cheerful royalists hoping to catch a glimpse of Charles during his visit to the charity. 

Charles was seen seeming as he hugged a well-wisher over the barrier, as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

The woman, who was wearing a large black coat, threw herself around Charles’ shoulders as he placed his hand on her arm. 

Although his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, preferred a more formal handshake or curtsey, it seems that the new generation of royals including Charles, William and Kate, are not adverse to having a more intimate hug with fans of The Firm. 

Many others shook hands with the King as he attempted to greet everyone who had braved the cold Scottish weather to see him in Clackmannanshire on Thursday. 

However, his visit did attract some protesters, who were seen at the end of the road holding ‘Not my King’ placards 

During his time at The Gate, the King then greeted representatives of local charities and voluntary organisations who have been presented with a Queen’s or King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

This includes Forth Valley Welcome, a sanctuary for refugees, Homestart Clackmannanshire, a charity helping children and parents going through tough times, and Breathe Easy, who help support those with lung conditions. 

 The Gate opened in 2011 and has eleven members of paid staff, attempting to recruit from their large pool of volunteers where possible. 

The charity also offered supported training placements to two individuals who have faced barriers to employment in the past. 

 It has been a busy week for the King, who met Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster at Dumfries House in Ayrshire on Wednesday, as he marked the 35th anniversary of the launch of his royal charity.

The King’s Foundation was founded as the Prince of Wales’s Institute of Architecture by Charles in 1990 when he was Prince of Wales, and works to build sustainable communities and transform lives.

The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy singer ensured he was adequately wrapped up against the bracing cold, donning a Molly-Mae-inspired cream cable knit with a high neck, under a shearling coat.

Meanwhile, his wife Penny opted for a similar warm toned ensemble, pairing a pale brown jumper with a darker skirt of the same colour.

Ahead of the visit, it was revealed that Charles, 76, would be placing a personal letter and the first item into The King’s Foundation’s 35th anniversary time capsule, to mark the start of a year of celebrations.

As part of its work, the foundation promotes the King’s philosophy of harmony which sees everything in nature as interconnected, including ourselves, and advocates taking a holistic approach to the challenges facing the planet.

Over the course of the year, the charity will collect items which people feel represent the achievements and legacy of The King’s Foundation, with a particular focus on what inspired people to devote their time to protecting the built and natural world. 

Once the collection of items is complete the time capsule will be buried on the Dumfries House estate and opened in 100 years.

The time capsule itself was designed and made from oak at the Snowdon School of Furniture, part of The King’s Foundation at Highgrove, by King’s Foundation alumnus Aiden Lawley.

Its design has been left intentionally plain to both celebrate the British timber used and to give space for other students and alumni to add decorative elements throughout the year.

A newly created bust of Charles, created by a former King’s Foundation student, Lily Marsh, who now runs a successful sculpting business, will also be on show during the event.

During the visit on Wednesday, the King spoke to members of the local community, ambassadors and alumni of the foundation, while Alan Titchmarsh, an ambassador for the charity, was also in attendance.

Sir Rod, who has just celebrated his 80th birthday, and model, special constable and Loose Women star Penny have joined the likes of David Beckham and Sienna Miller in the role of celebrity ambassadors.

The veteran rocker, whose hits include Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Hot Legs and Maggie May, said: ‘We are so pleased to be coming on board as ambassadors for The King’s Foundation and look forward to lending our support to this worthwhile cause, particularly during such a significant year for the charity.’ 

Penny, also known as Lady Stewart, said: ‘As a volunteer special constable, the foundation’s approach to building communities – and how access to green spaces can help build better, healthier places – is particularly important to me.

‘It’s an honour to be working with the foundation and I can’t wait to meet more of the inspiring people who both learn with and work for the organisation.’

Sir Rod, who has long been a supporter of the charity, joined the King, Beckham and Miller at the foundation’s inaugural awards in St James’s Palace in June.