King Charles is “sadly” unable to attend the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Oamaru Public Gardens but hopes it is a memorable event.

The King is “most grateful” for the “thoughtful” invitation from Waitaki District Council to the October 10 celebrations, but has to politely decline, a  letter from Buckingham Palace states.

 The King asked head of royal correspondence, James Dawson, who was writing on his behalf, to convey his “warmest good wishes” to everyone at the council.

While “sadly” unable to accept the invitation, the King was “most grateful to you for thinking of him and would have me pass on his sincere hopes that the occasion will be enjoyable and memorable for all involved”.

The letter from a representative of King Charles III turning down the Waitaki District Council's invitation to the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Oamaru Public Gardens. Photo: Supplied.

Oamaru’s Public Gardens are among the oldest in New Zealand.

Land was set aside for gardens as part of the 1858 town plan but it was not until 1876 that they were officially inaugurated, with a purple beech tree planted by then-mayor William Steward and Rev  Algernon Gifford.

The council said further information about the celebrations would be released next month.