King Charles has commemorated the second anniversary of his mother’s death at Crathie Kirk near the late monarch’s beloved Balmoral.
The royal, 75, appeared to be in good spirits as he and his wife were driven up to the church for Sunday service this afternoon.
He donned a charcoal grey suit for the occasion, teamed with a black and burgundy tie, while Queen Camilla, 76, opted for a red and green tartan ensemble, complete with a matching hat.
It is not known if they will be accompanied by other relatives, as the pair were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this summer.
Balmoral, where Charles and Camilla are spending this morning, was especially adored by Queen Elizabeth and it is where she spent her last hours.
King Charles has arrived at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral on the second anniversary of his accession to the throne and the death of his mother
It was two years ago today that Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the age of 96, after a 70-year reign.
Charles, as he became near the Royal Family’s Balmoral estate in Scotland on September 8, 2022, had been the longest-serving heir apparent in British history.
While the Queen’s funeral on September 19 offered the nation – and the world – a chance to mourn our longest serving monarch, there were moments during the historic service that reminded those watching that the day was very much about a family grieving for a beloved late family member.
Alongside the strict adherence to centuries-old ceremony, there were also tender moments aplenty, showing a more human side to a family dealing with grief.
On an overwhelming day, the Princess of Wales kept close counsel with her two elder children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte – offering gentle touches at key points including grasping her daughter’s hand as the family arrived at the Abbey.
Elsewhere the Princess Royal appeared to show genuine concern for her older brother, Charles.
While the Queen’s four children lined up to follow her coffin during the state funeral procession, a concerned looking Anne took a moment to glance sideways at her sibling, who appeared stricken with grief.
It has also been a particularly challenging year for King Charles, who in early 2024 revealed news of a cancer diagnosis – around the same time as his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, 42, also shared her health struggles with the disease.
He donned a charcoal grey suit for the occasion, teamed with a black and burgundy tie, while Queen Camilla opted for a red and green tartan ensemble, complete with a matching hat
It is not known if they will be accompanied by other relatives, as the pair were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this summer
In late August, the Princess of Wales’s appearance at Crathie Kirk marked her and Charles’s reunion in the public eye – with the pair being pictured at the same place for the first time in months.
Their last joint endeavour was Trooping of the Colour in June, and Kate has since also been seen at the Wimbledon final in July, and in a supportive video for Team GB at the Olympics in early August.
However, it was sure to be a welcome break for Prince William’s wife and her father-in-law – who share a special bond, especially after both receiving cancer diagnoses around the same time – to enjoy a catch-up at the quiet idyllic Balmoral.
It was recently revealed that Kate would join the Royal Family at Balmoral in August in what will have been her longest journey since opening up about her health struggles.
She and the Prince of Wales decamped to the 50,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands each summer since their wedding in 2011, but some insiders feared this year could be different due to the princess’s condition.
Balmoral, where Charles and Camilla are spending this morning, was especially beloved by the late Queen and it is where she spent her last hours
It was two years ago today that Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the age of 96 , after a 70-year reign
King Charles and Queen Camilla were pictured leaving the Sunday service, which they attended on the anniversary of Elizabeth II’s death
The royals were seen being driven away in the car. They spent the morning in Balmoral, which was beloved by the Queen
Pictured: Charles and Camilla leave Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, following a Sunday church service
One of the final acts of the late Queen Elizabeth II was to welcome new prime minister Liz Truss and accept the resignation of Boris JOhnson The late Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on September 6, 2022
While the Queen’s funeral on September 19 offered the nation – and the world – a chance to mourn our longest serving monarch, there were moments during the historic service that reminded those watching that the day was very much about a family grieving for a beloved late family member
Since the announcement that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in March, Kate has mostly balanced her time between Adelaide Cottage, their home in Windsor, and Anmer Hall, their holiday home in Norfolk, which are around 125 miles apart.
In June she told the public in an emotional message she was ‘not out of the woods yet’ and had ‘good days and bad days’, adding that her treatment would continue for ‘a few more months’.
She said that on her good days it was ‘a joy’ to ‘spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity’.
The annual holiday at Balmoral is a tradition for the royals, where they can relax in the peaceful countryside.
Long country walks and fishing are typical pastimes, with William and Kate known to enjoy cycling through the leafy grounds. Kensington Palace declined to comment at the time.
Both the Princess and King are sure to welcome to a reprieve following their difficult year.
However, their health struggles have also likely forged a new bond between the royal and his beloved daughter-in-law.