Prince Charles loves to plant trees and it was revealed that he has an odd ritual whenever he places a tree on the ground so it will grow further. This bizarre habit was uncovered by a group of experts in the U.K.

On Nov. 6, via Twitter, the researchers behind the BBC TV show, QI, stated that “Whenever Prince Charles participates in a tree-planting ceremony, he gives one of the branches a handshake to wish it well.”

With the big reveal, it was said that fans are freaking out since this is the first time they are hearing such behavior and it is Prince Charles that is being talked about. But then again, for some people who have been following the first in line to the British throne for a long time, the research is not surprising because, in one of his interviews in 1986, he dropped a perplexing detail when he said that he talks to the plans and they answer him back.

“I just come and talk to the plants, really – very important to talk to them,” The Daily Mail quoted the prince as saying. “They respond.”

Prince Charles’ odd ritual when planting was also confirmed by Clarence House by sharing that the act is a common tradition of the royals. The official household of the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles added that this habit was even listed on this personal webpage under the “70 facts about the Prince” section.

In any case, Camilla’s husband also admitted that he does not only talk to his plants but he also trains them now. It was the prince himself who disclosed this fact during the 25th anniversary edition of BBC1’s “Countryfile.”

How the Fans Reacted

After hearing about Prince Charles’ little ceremony whenever he plants a tree, they were dumbfounded but they find it cute. They said that rather than seeing it as something weird, it actually his actions are actually lovely.

According to Express, many fans left their comments on social media and one of the messages reads: “Once upon a time I would have thought that made him a bit crazy but in the current mad horrible world I read that and think ‘that’s nice.” And lastly, another one wrote: “That’s the most British thing I’ve ever heard.”

Ian Livesey/Flickr