King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, for the traditional Sunday service at Crathie Kirk on the Balmoral estate as the royal household observed a period of mourning following the death of the Duchess of Kent.
The monarch and queen attended the service at the parish church near the royal summer residence, where Camilla wore a black armband in tribute to the late duchess. Sir Keir and Lady Victoria arrived for the service after spending part of the summer at Balmoral, where it has been customary for prime ministers and their spouses to stay for a few days at the close of the season.
The gathering came amid a series of public tributes after the Duchess of Kent, the oldest living member of the royal family, died at Kensington Palace on Thursday at the age of 92. In a statement signed "W & C," the Prince and Princess of Wales said the duchess would be "much missed" and praised her for working "tirelessly" to help others and for her support of charitable causes, including her love of music.
Members of the royal family paid respects in different ways over the weekend. On Saturday, the king and queen attended the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, where the king wore darker attire and Camilla again signalled mourning with a black armband. Dame Joanna Lumley, a long-time friend of the family, also attended the Highland Gathering and was present at the church service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales made separate public appearances in tribute to the duchess on Saturday by attending different Women's Rugby World Cup matches. The princess watched England's Red Roses, and the prince attended the Wales match in Exeter. Both wore dark clothing as a mark of respect, according to royal aides. A spokesman for Prince Harry said the duke had sent his condolences privately to the Kent family.
Balmoral is closely associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died there in September 2022, and it has long served as a setting where monarchs and prime ministers meet in a less formal environment. The tradition of hosting premiers at Balmoral for a short residency near the end of summer dates back decades. Accounts of past visits by prime ministers reflect a mix of convivial moments and awkwardness; Harold Wilson was said to have enjoyed riverside picnics with the late queen, while Margaret Thatcher reportedly found the weekend rituals challenging.
The annual September weekend at Balmoral has included a range of country pursuits and social events intended to foster rapport between the sovereign and successive heads of government. When Parliament is sitting, Buckingham Palace has said the king and prime minister meet for a weekly audience, but Balmoral residencies have offered additional opportunities for informal engagement.
Officials have not announced further funeral arrangements for the Duchess of Kent beyond the statements released by the royal household this week. The duchess is survived by her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and their three children. Tributes have continued to arrive from public figures and organizations that noted her long record of public service.
The service at Crathie Kirk formed part of a quiet weekend of remembrance on the Balmoral estate, combining formal and informal elements of royal life as the family navigates the period following the duchess's death.