King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prime Minister and other high-profile guests for the traditional Sunday service at Crathie Kirk this morning.
The monarch, 76, was seen wearing a traditional Scottish kilt as he stepped out for the service – which comes following a difficult week for the royal family after Buckingham Palace announced that the Duchess of Kent had passed away.
It is traditional for the Prime Minister to stay at Balmoral each year for a few days at the end of summer and is where King Charles has been spending his summer break.
Sir Keir spent a few days at the royals’ Scottish estate during the summer break for the first time last year.
This year, he was joined by his glamorous wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, who opted for a two-part vibrant red ensemble.
Queen Camilla meanwhile also opted for a red tartan skirt to match her husband – and was also seen with a black armband on her arm, as a sign of mourning for the late Duchess.
During the service, prayers were said for the Duchess of Kent and to mark the third anniversary of Accession.
The party were also joined by Dame Joanna Lumley, who also attended the annual Braemar Highland Gathering on Saturday.
The Ab Fab star is known to be a huge fan of the royals and has a close relationship with the family, especially the King and Queen.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prime Minister for the traditional Sunday service at Crathie Kirk this morning
Sir Keir was joined by his glamorous wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, who opted for a two-part vibrant red ensemble
Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Wales made a touching tribute to the late Duchess of Kent on Saturday as they attended separate Women’s Rugby World Cup matches.
Kate, 43, cheered on England’s Red Roses from the stands at the Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium as they played against Australia.
The royal was seen honouring the Duchess of Kent – who died on Thursday aged 92 – by wearing a casual black ensemble.
Husband Prince William also wore a black suit and tie as he watched Wales narrowly lose to Fiji at Sandy Park in Exeter more than 200 miles away earlier this afternoon.
Over in Scotland, King Charles and Queen Camilla also paid their respects to the late Duchess as they attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park.
The King wore a black blazer and black tie, while Camilla wore a black armband.
Tributes have poured in over the last few days for the late Duchess, who was the oldest living member of the Royal Family.
In a loving tribute yesterday, William and Kate said the Duchess would be ‘much missed’ and described how she had ‘worked tirelessly’ in her life to help others.
In a statement signed ‘W & C’, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.
The party were also joined by Dame Joanna Lumley , who also attended the annual Braemar Highland Gathering on Saturday
Queen Camila also opted for a tartan skirt, and a dark green blazer with tartan accents
The King appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived at the traditional service
It is traditional for the Prime Minister to stay at Balmoral each year for a few days at the end of summer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and wife Lady Victoria Starmer arrive to attend a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk
Dame Joanna Lumley (left) is pictured with Baroness Helena Kennedy at the service today
Camilla was seen waving as she arrived at the service this morning
Lady Victoria beamed as she held her clutch bag in one hand as she and Sir Keir left the church after the service
Baroness Helena Kennedy (left) and author Santa Montefiore leave after attending a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk
‘The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family’.
The Duchess died at Kensington Palace on Thursday night, surrounded by members of her family.
She is survived by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Prince Harry said he had sent his condolences privately to the Kent family.
Balmoral is the royal residence most beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and was the place where she died in September 2022.
Monarchs have traditionally invited Prime Ministers and their spouses to the Deeside estate to get to know them in a more relaxed setting.
During the late Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Premiers would stay for several nights and enjoy – or endure – a busy schedule of barbecues and blood sports.
In the past decades Harold Wilson, who is said to have ‘got on like a house on fire’ with Queen Elizabeth II, would join members of the royal family for riverside picnics on the Balmoral estate.
Yesterday, the King and Queen were once again joined by Dame Joanna for the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering
At one point, Charles and Camilla appeared royally amused, at the event at the Fife Memorial Park
But things were very different with Margaret Thatcher, who reportedly found the traditional September weekend at Balmoral painful.
One observer wrote: ‘A weekend in the country with aristocrats who enjoy riding, shooting, sports and games is Thatcher’s idea of torture.’
Mrs Thatcher could not abide the charades that she was expected to play after dinner at Balmoral.
During a gathering of six of her premiers, the late Queen once joked about ‘the party games which some of you have so nobly endured at Balmoral’.
When Parliament is sitting, the King and Prime Minister meet for a weekly audience.
