King Charles has marked 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 to church for Sunday service this afternoon.
For the occasion, he donned a charcoal grey suit, paired with a black and burgundy tie, while Queen Camilla, 76, opted for a red and green checked ensemble, with a matching hat.
It is not known if they will be accompanied by other family members, as the couple 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 beloved by Queen Elizabeth and is where she spent her final hours.
King Charles arrived at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, on the second anniversary of his accession to the throne and the death of his mother.
Two years ago today, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the age of 96, after a 70-year reign.
Charles, when he died 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 the loss of 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 a beloved, deceased member.
Along with the strict observance of a century-old ceremony, there were also many tender moments, which showed the more human side of a family facing grief.
On an overwhelming day, the Princess of Wales maintained close communication with her two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, offering gentle touches at key moments, even holding 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.
As the Queen’s four children lined up to follow her coffin during the state funeral procession, a worried-looking Anne took a moment to glance at her brother, who appeared stricken with grief.
It has also been a particularly challenging year for King Charles, who revealed the news of a cancer diagnosis in early 2024, around the same time his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, 42, also shared her health struggles with the disease.
For the occasion, he donned a charcoal grey suit, paired with a black and burgundy tie, while Queen Camilla opted for a red and green tartan ensemble, with a matching hat.
It is not known if they will be accompanied by other family members, as the couple 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’ appearance at Crathie Kirk marked her reunion with Charles in the public eye, and the pair were photographed in the same location for the first time in months.
Their last joint endeavour was Trooping of the Colour in June, and since then Kate has also been seen at the Wimbledon final in July and in a video supporting Team Great Britain at the Olympics in early August.
However, it was surely 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 and idyllic Balmoral.
It was recently revealed that Kate would join the Royal Family at Balmoral in August in what will have been her longest trip since speaking out about her health problems.
She and the Prince of Wales have moved to the 50,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands every summer since their wedding in 2011, but some insiders feared this year could be different because of the princess’s condition.
Balmoral, where Charles and Camilla are spending this morning, was especially dear to the late Queen and is where she spent her final hours.
Two years ago today, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at the age of 96, after a 70-year reign.
One of the last acts of the late Queen Elizabeth II was to welcome the 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 the loss of our longest-serving monarch, there were moments during the historic service that reminded those watching that the day was very much about a family mourning a beloved deceased family member.
Since announcing in March that she would undergo preventative chemotherapy, Kate has divided her time between Adelaide Cottage, her home in Windsor, and Anmer Hall, her holiday home in Norfolk, which are about 200 kilometres apart.
In June, she told the public in an emotional message that she was “not out of the woods yet” and had 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.”
Annual holidays to Balmoral are a tradition for the royal family, where they can relax in the tranquility of the countryside.
Long walks in the countryside and fishing are typical pastimes, and William and Kate are known to love cycling through the leafy gardens. Kensington Palace declined to comment at the time.
Both the Princess and the King will surely appreciate a break after their difficult year.
However, her health problems have also likely forged a new bond between the royal and her beloved daughter-in-law.
