RESCUE animals recently took part in a festive photoshoot at the King and Queen’s country home Highgrove.

Percy, Darcie, Elspeth, Harper, Missy and Shadow, who are all looking for new homes in time for Christmas, were invited to the royal estate from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

They posed on a new range of bespoke footstools, crafted and upholstered using recycled curtains from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by students working with Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation.

The King’s Foundation is the custodian of Highgrove Gardens and runs education workshops onsite for traditional and endangered crafts such as millinery and embroidery.

Camilla, who is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, recently said a sad farewell to one of her own beloved Battersea rescue dogs, Beth, a 13-year-old jack russell terrier.

Kaye Mughal, centre manager in Windsor, said: “It was a special day bringing some of our dogs from Battersea’s Old Windsor Centre to Highgrove Gardens.

“They enjoyed the day out, experiencing visiting a new place and getting into the festive spirit.

“They also enjoyed testing out some of the unique footstools and have officially given them their approval.”

The six dogs – Percy, a sweet four-year-old white bichon cross; Darcie, a playful three-month-old black Labrador puppy; Elspeth, an energetic and sociable one-year-old brown cocker spaniel; Harper, an intelligent and gentle three-year-old jack russell terrier; Missy, an inquisitive three-year-old black English cocker spaniel; and Shadow – a shy three-legged, four-year-old grey deerhound lurcher who loves walks – are all hoping to be rehomed.

Those interested should contact Battersea Dogs and Cats Home via battersea.org.uk for more information

The wooden stools themselves - which feature in the festive photoshoot - were made by graduates at the Snowdon School of Furniture.

The school’s 16-week Create programme trains a small cohort on the Highgrove estate on all aspects of the use of sustainable wood.

Simon Sadinsky, executive director of education for The King’s Foundation, said: “The footstools are a very special project as it’s the first time we have created items that represent a collaboration between two of our educational sites, Dumfries House and Highgrove Gardens, across three of our educational programmes.”

He added: “What has made it even more wonderful is being able to welcome some four-legged friends from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to mark the start of another magical festive auction – we hope this will in turn help to find them new homes.”

The project highlights the foundation’s commitment to sustainability by using upcycled and natural materials.

The eight pieces of furniture, with suggested starting prices of £250 per item, will be auctioned online to support The King’s Foundation from November 29 until December 16.