King adopts 31 rescue hens and gives them a new life at his royal mansion – including one named Henrietta

THE King has adopted 31 rescue hens and given them a new life at his 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.

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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.

Charles decided to call the landmark hen ‘Henrietta’.

The charity finds new homes for ex-commercial laying hens who are usually replaced when they reach 18 months old and sent to be slaughtered.

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Charles made gardens and estate at Highgrove organic and sustainable after buying the home and land more than 40 years ago.

Jane Howorth MBE, founder and CEO of the British Hen Welfare Trust, said: “We’re thrilled that one million hens have been adopted and extremely pleased that Henrietta and her 30 feathered friends are heading to Highgrove Gardens.

“Helping a lorry load of 4,000 was my original target and we’ve exceeded my expectations by some margin!

“To think that so many hens have had a happy retirement gives me a great deal of pleasure as I’m sure it has for all the kind-hearted British supporters who’ve taken these deserving little creatures into their homes and hearts.

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“From the day I started this charity, it’s been a privilege to meet and work with people who want to help hens and to work alongside the egg industry to champion hen welfare and free range eggs.”

The British Hen Welfare Trust says 16 million hens kept in colony cages.

It has now found retirement pet homes for one million ex-commercial hens, all of which were destined for slaughter.

The charity also has 48 pop-up rehoming points across the UK