Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joins King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral church service ahead of first year anniversary of late Queen’s death
- As the anniversary of the late Queen’s death nears, PM Rishi Sunak joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal at Balmoral on Sunday
- Read more: As King Charles enjoys the Braemar Gathering, a quiet revolution is unfolding at Balmoral with plans underway for a new gallery and visitor centre
Prime Minster Rishi Sunak joined royals at a church service in Balmoral this morning, as the nation prepares to mark a year since the Queen died.
Following the motorcade of royal cars to Crathie Kirk in the Scottish Highlands, the Conservative Party leader arrived for the traditional church service in an armoured Range Rover.
Meanwhile, King Charles III, dressed in traditional tartan – and his wife, wearing a stylish racing green skirt suit with a matching beret – appeared in good spirits as they travelled in the back of their royal Bentley.
With a taupe coloured handbag on her lap, Queen Camilla smiled at well-wishers as the couple drove through the rural roads around Balmoral.
Following closely behind the royal Bentley came the PM, who sat on the back seat as an aide drove him to the traditional church service.
The King and Queen Camilla were joined by Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence today
Mr Sunak, likely facing a general election next year, smiled as his vehicle bypassed small crowds gathered to welcome the royals to church.
He was joined by his wife Akshata Murty, who lit up the room in a bright green trench coat adorned with golden buttons, accessorised with a mustard panama hat. She donned beige stiletto heels for the outing.
Also in attendance were Princess Anne and her husband Captain Timothy Laurence.
The Princess Royal wore a striking straw hat with red trim and a maroon and grey dress jacket.
She was seen chatting with Laurence as the couple made their way to Crathie Kirk church.
Lady Susan Hussey, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in the royal party.
Lady Susan, who was once referred to as Her late Majesty’s ‘head girl’ and was kept on in the Palace by King Charles following his mother’s death, was famously at the centre of an embarrassing incident for the Palace in December, when she asked British charity worker Ngozi Fulani: ‘What part of Africa are you from?’ during a domestic violence reception at Buckingham Palace.
It’s been a busy week for the royals. On Saturday, Charles paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as he attended the Highland Games – an event that was a firm favourite of the monarch.
The King represented the Royal Family at the event alongside his wife Queen Camilla – the first since Queen Elizabeth’s death.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, grinned as he attended the service Crathie Kirk with members of the Royal Family today
He was joined by his wife Akshata Murty, who lit up the room in a bright green trench coat adorned with golden buttons, accessorised with a mustard panama hat
The tartan-clad King and Queen were in high spirits as they were pictured at today’s church service
Queen Camilla was the picture of elegance in a green skirt-suit, adding a pop of colour with bright orange shoes
The monarch looked delighted to greet well-wishers as he arrived at the church service with his wife
Charles was all smiles as he emerged from the car with his wife to enjoy the morning at Crathie Kirk
The Queen teamed her suit with a matching hat as she sported a monochrome look for the service
Camilla appeared in high spirits as she joined her husband and other members of the royal family at Crathie Kirk
The royal accessorised her look with miscellaneous jewellery, including a selection of necklaces and bracelets
The Queen held onto a beige handbag, which featured a patterned design, for the Sunday service
Camilla smiled at well-wishers as she and her husband made their arrival at the church earlier today
Mr Sunak and his wife were among the attendees during today’s Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk
The PM’s wife was the picture of sophistication in a chic seafoam green trench coat during the service today
The PM, Mr Sunak (pictured), wore a simole and elegant navy suit for the service, team with a smart blue tie
Princess Anne sported a sophisticated deep red ensemble, which was accessorised with a white floral hat
King Charles and Queen Camilla were driven to Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, to attend church alongside a host of other royals – and PM Rishi Sunak
Behind the royal Bentley came PM Rishi Sunak; the country’s political leader sat on the back seat as an aide drove him to the traditional church service.
The Prime Minister, likely facing a general election next year, smiled as his Range Rover bypassed small crowds gathered to welcome the royals to church
The Prime Minister appeared in high spirits as he arrived at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, for a Sunday church service
Also in attendance was Princess Anne and her husband Captain Timothy Laurence, both pictured
The Princess Royal donned a maroon and grey dress jacket with a straw boater and red trim for the short journey to Crathie Kirk
The King, enjoying an extended break at his mother’s beloved Balmoral, chatted to Queen Camilla as they were driven to church
A glimpse of Camilla: The Queen Consort was pictured seated next to the King en route to church on Sunday
As Queen Elizabeth once did, the King and Queen have enjoyed a summer break in the Scottish Highlands
Lady Susan Hussey, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in the royal party
The Prime Minister is currently in Scotland and joined the King and Queen and other royals for the service on Sunday
The King and Queen were joined by Anne, Princess Royal, and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, as the royal siblings sat next to each other and shared a giggle.
The Braemar Gathering – the most famous of the Highland Games – was a particular favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth, who rarely missed the spectacle which takes place in September each year near Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire.
It comes a year after the late Queen was forced to miss the event – prompting the initial grave concerns for her health, and less than a week before her passing.
The then Prince Charles would often accompany the monarch at the gathering which has existed in some form for 900 years – and its most modern form stretching’s back nearly 200 years.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and Anne, the Princess Royal, were pictured laughing together as they attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park
King Charles and his sister Anne, Princess Royal, looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves in Scotland
Charles was in good spirits at The Braemar Gathering and was pictured giggling several times
Queen Camilla smiled at the crowd as she attended the Braemar Gathering alongside her husband, King Charles III
The late Queen Elizabeth II is pictured at the Braemar Highland Games in September 2010 alongside her son, then Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Then the Prince of Wales, Charles still attended the event last year despite officials saying at the time that the the decision was made that the late Queen wound not be there ‘for her comfort’.
The festival is known to attract visitors from all over the world and frequently features competitors from Scotland, England, Australia and America.
Various events throughout the day include traditional Scottish games, including caber-tossing and tug-of-war, and take place at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar.
The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of the Highland Games and is known worldwide. Each year thousands of visitors descend on this small Scottish village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions.
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