In a visit shrouded in secrecy, King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently made a quick pit stop at their favorite Indian wellness retreat during their return journey from an official tour of Australia and Samoa. The royal couple quietly arrived in India last Saturday and headed straight to Soukya, a luxury holistic health centre on the outskirts of Bengaluru, for a three-day rejuvenation getaway.
A Royal Sanctuary
Spread across a lush 30-acre organic farm, Soukya has long been a sanctuary for the royals, who have visited multiple times over the years. The name Soukya derives from the Sanskrit word for harmony, reflecting the centre’s philosophy of restoring the natural balance of mind, body, and spirit.
The retreat offers a blend of yoga, homeopathy, and traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, drawing from ancient texts. Its illustrious guest list includes luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and actor Emma Thompson.
Exclusive Presidential Suite
During their stay, the entire resort was closed off to outside visitors, ensuring complete privacy for the royal couple. They were accommodated in the opulent £1,000-a-night presidential suite, which boasts three bedrooms, a living room, dining area, kitchen, and an outdoor shower surrounded by lush banana palms and fragrant flowers.
Tailored Rejuvenation Program
According to close sources, the centre’s program was specially adapted for King Charles, who has been undergoing cancer treatment. “This time, because of chemotherapy for his cancer, the sessions he underwent were for rejuvenation, detoxification and strengthening the immune system,” they revealed to a local newspaper.
The royal couple’s daily routine reportedly began with morning yoga sessions, with Queen Camilla being a devoted yoga practitioner. This was followed by a traditional south Indian vegetarian breakfast, featuring dishes like dosas and idlis, along with fresh juices and coconut water.
Throughout the day, they participated in rejuvenating therapies, including healing massages, culminating in evening meditation sessions before retiring to bed by 9pm.
Serene Walks and Tree Planting
The royals were seen enjoying the tranquility of Soukya’s grounds, taking leisurely strolls around the organic farm and cow sheds. As a parting gesture, King Charles planted a Jacaranda tree sapling on the health centre’s premises before their departure on Wednesday.
A Royal Friendship
The royal couple’s connection to Soukya spans over a decade, thanks to the king’s friendship with the centre’s founder, Dr. Issac Mathai, a Kerala-born holistic medicine practitioner. The two met at a London conference in 2002 and bonded over their shared interest in natural and holistic therapies.
Dr. Mathai has since become a trusted holistic physician and close confidant to King Charles, regularly traveling to the UK to provide treatments. He was among the esteemed guests at the coronation ceremony and has even had tea with the royals at Windsor Castle.
In a touching gesture of their affection for Soukya, the royal couple receives an annual delivery of organic mangoes grown on the retreat’s farm to Buckingham Palace.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla continue their reign, it’s clear that Soukya will remain a cherished haven for the royals to unwind, rejuvenate, and escape the pressures of their public duties, even if only for a brief, secret sojourn.
