King Charles has resurfaced for the first time at Balmoral since the news that his son Prince Harry will move back to the UK with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children by the end of the month.
The monarch, who has retreated to Scotland for his annual summer break, broke his cover on Sunday morning to attend church with members of the royal family near the royal residence. Charles stepped out alongside his wife Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children for a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, the small parish church near where the royals holiday at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire each year.
Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving in the first car for the church service, as troops from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, provided a guard of honour.
The royal couple were followed by Prince William and his wife Princess Kate, who were joined by their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence as well as Prince Edward and his daughter Lady Louise were also seen arriving for the family gathering.
© Alamy Stock Photo
© Getty ImagesThe outing marked the first time Charles has been seen since arriving at Balmoral last Tuesday. Harry and his family’s move to the UK was first reported on Wednesday evening.
King Charles’ reaction to Harry and Meghan’s UK return
HELLO! can confirm King Charles was first made aware of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s plans to relocate to the UK last Sunday. The monarch welcomes the opportunity to see more of Harry and his family in a private and personal capacity.
Harry and Meghan, who are set to return to British soil by the end of the month, will remain as private individuals and non-working royals. Harry’s brother Prince William and Princess Kate were also made aware of the couple’s decision to move back to the UK.
While it might seem that the news was shared with the King last minute, HELLO!’s royal editor, Emily Nash, revealed on A Right Royal Podcast: “Well, I think that it’s probably not the first he’s heard of it, to be honest.”
“I think that it would be extraordinary if they hadn’t mentioned to him the fact that they were considering this. But I think they then presented it to him as a kind of done deal just on Sunday.”
She added: “So as much as he may have been having conversations with his dad about this, they actually have pushed the button quite late and not a moment too soon, you know, because those children will be starting school in just two or three weeks from now.”
The royals retreat to Balmoral
© PA Images via Getty ImagesCharles has been in Scotland since the start of the month, carrying out various engagements such as the Mey Highland Games. The monarch arrived at Balmoral Castle on Tuesday to officially mark the star of his summer residence there with a formal welcome ceremony.
The King met Shetland pony Cpl Cruachan IV (mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland) during an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, at the gates of Balmoral, and greeted members of the public who had gathered outside the castle gates.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe Prince and Princess of Wales joined Charles and Queen Camilla at the Scottish residence for their summer holiday earlier this week, HELLO! revealed on Thursday. Prince William and Princess Kate and their three children were seen in their Land Rover Discovery in pictures published by the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, Prince Edward and James, Earl of Wessex, were pictured driving into the estate on Friday morning.
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