King Charles III has recently reflected on a harrowing experience from his past during a gathering at the Castle of Mey, where he hosted the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team to commemorate the group’s 50th anniversary. The monarch, aged 77, opened a window into a tragic event that transpired over three decades ago, when he narrowly escaped death in an avalanche that claimed the life of his close friend, Major Hugh Lindsay.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/king-charles-assynt-mountain-rescue-team-081026-1-6d0d4516753a44aaa653517709269a78.jpg)
The incident occurred on March 10, 1988, while King Charles and a group of friends were skiing off-piste above the resort of Klosters in Switzerland. In a poignant recounting, he mentioned the dangers inherent in mountainous terrain, with team leader Ben Dyson sharing insights from their conversation. Dyson reported that Charles described the avalanche as a “close thing” and highlighted how the experience has lingered in his memory, providing him with a deeper appreciation for the essential work of mountain rescue teams.
Major Hugh Lindsay, who served as an equerry to Queen Elizabeth II, was tragically killed during the avalanche, falling an estimated 1,312 feet down the mountainside. Another friend and fellow skier, Patti Palmer-Tomkinson, sustained significant leg injuries. The King and other members of their party were eventually able to make their way to safety. They later returned to the scene, accompanied by a Swiss police officer and their guide, to assist in the rescue efforts for Lindsay and Palmer-Tomkinson.
Tragically, Lindsay did not survive the incident and was pronounced dead after being airlifted to a local hospital in Davos. Eyewitness Marie Griffiths recounted seeing Prince Charles evacuated from the mountain. She noted that, while he appeared distressed, he had not sustained any injuries. “He looked very distressed; somebody said he was crying, but he did walk to the helicopter so he looked uninjured,” she recalled.
At the time of the avalanche, Major Lindsay’s wife, Sarah, was six months pregnant with their first child. The devastating news of her husband’s death created profound ripples throughout their community. Notably, both Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, were present on the ski holiday but were safely at their chalet when the avalanche struck.
The incident marked not only a personal tragedy for King Charles but also overshadowed a lifelong tradition for the royal family. He and Princess Diana introduced their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to skiing in Klosters at an early age, establishing it as a cherished family holiday location.
Reflecting on past pastimes, King Charles has since declared that he has retired from skiing, expressing a sense of finality during a visit to Teesside in February 2023. “I think my skiing days are behind me,” he confided to a Swiss individual he met there, acknowledging the risks that accompany the sport.
The King’s recent reflection on his avalanche experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by nature. It has also drawn attention to the vital role that rescue teams like the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team play in ensuring the safety of those who venture into the mountains.
Ben Dyson, the team leader, shared that the King expressed gratitude for the dedication displayed by rescue teams, recognising the potential perils in such treacherous environments. Dyson’s comments reflect the heightened awareness that follows such a life-altering event, which continues to resonate with the monarch.
As the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team celebrates its 50th anniversary, the stories and tribulations shared by its members, including King Charles, highlight the enduring legacy of resilience and commitment to safety in outdoor activities. It is a poignant reminder of the thin line between joy and tragedy in the great outdoors, especially in environments as unpredictable as mountainous terrains.