King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a church service near their Balmoral estate on Sunday, accompanied by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The royal couple were seen traveling in a black Rolls-Royce, with the Prime Minister's Range Rover following behind.
This is a traditional part of the summer break at Balmoral, where monarchs have historically hosted Prime Ministers. The service took place at Crathie Kirk, a small granite church located in Royal Deeside. This gathering follows an event earlier in the week where the King, along with President Emmanuel Macron of France, viewed the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. Prime Minister Burnham also attended this unveiling.
King Charles described the nearly 1,000-year-old tapestry, on loan to Britain from France, as a "precious symbol of trust" between the two nations. He noted its significance in Anglo-French relations and its likely creation by English craftspeople in Canterbury, despite being commissioned in Normandy. The Prime Minister lightheartedly remarked on the tapestry's depiction of a leader from the north seeking the English crown, joking, "Thank you for this elaborate, 70-metre reminder of Britain's biggest defeat."
Balmoral has been a favoured royal residence, particularly for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away there in September 2022. The tradition of hosting the Prime Minister and their spouse at the Deeside estate aims to foster a more relaxed setting. Historically, this involved a schedule of activities, which varied in enjoyment for different Prime Ministers. For instance, Harold Wilson was said to have a good rapport with Queen Elizabeth II during riverside picnics, while Margaret Thatcher reportedly found the weekend activities, including charades after dinner, to be difficult.
Last year, King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined at the Crathie Kirk service by Sir Keir Starmer and other notable guests. The service also included prayers for the Duchess of Kent and marked the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's Accession. Dame Joanna Lumley was also in attendance at the Braemar Highland Gathering on Saturday, an event the King and Queen also attended.