United Kingdom, Dec. 23 -- King Charles "cuts bits of [his] fingers off" while gardening.

The 77-year-old monarch enjoys pottering with his plants but admitted he has occasionally been injured while pruning with his secateurs.

Speaking to presenter Martha Kearney on BBC Radio 4's This Natural Life programme for a Christmas special, he said: "[I spent] my life going around with my secateurs. I do cut bits of my fingers off occasionally."

The king credited his passion for the natural world to his childhood memories with his great-great-grandmother.

He said: "I have some very extraordinary memories of.Queen Alexandra's wonderful little topiary garden at Sandringham.

"That really fascinated me as a very small child, and I've had this pas...