King Charles and Queen Camilla spent a restful weekend at Balmoral after the monarch met with his son, Prince Harry, at Clarence House earlier this week, palace and media reports said.
The couple attended the traditional Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near the Scottish estate, appearing relaxed as they made the short journey in the royal Bentley. The King, 76, wore a navy suit and the Queen, 78, chose a green tartan ensemble and matching pillbox-style hat.
Their visit follows a meeting between Charles and the Duke of Sussex at Clarence House earlier in the week that was described by media outlets as a constructive, private conversation. British media reported the tea meeting lasted about 54 minutes, a significantly longer encounter than a brief audience in February 2024 when Harry met his father for about 15 minutes after the King's cancer diagnosis.
Harry was quoted by a reporter after attending an Invictus reception as saying of the monarch, "Yes, he's great, thank you," and his spokesman later said the duke had "loved being back in the UK." A royal source told the Daily Mail that Charles "wants to be a grandfather to his grandchildren" and suggested the meeting could be the first step toward wider family reconciliation and the possibility of Archie and Lilibet visiting the King in the future.
Charles last saw his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, in June 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. Media reports note the King has met Lilibet only once and Archie on a limited number of occasions since then.
Sources quoted by British outlets cautioned that obstacles remain, including security arrangements. The duke and duchess had their taxpayer-funded security reduced after stepping back from senior royal duties, a change that has been the subject of legal disputes with the Home Office, and the couple has previously sought armed protection on visits to the U.K. Reports suggested arrangements could be made for visits to royal residences where security perimeters could accommodate additional protection, though such plans would require negotiation.
The Balmoral visit comes as Buckingham Palace and the wider royal household prepare for a packed week. The King and Queen are due to return to London for the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday. The service is expected to be attended by senior members of the royal family.
Also scheduled this week is the arrival in the U.K. of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The president and the first lady are due to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales on the Windsor estate grounds and will later meet the King and Queen for an open-air greeting, and Trump is scheduled to receive fly-pasts and a military ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Royal watchers said the Clarence House meeting, while private, was notable for its length and timing amid the monarch's recent public health disclosures and a series of high-profile events that will bring members of the royal family and international visitors to Britain in quick succession. The palace has not released a detailed statement about the content of the meeting between Charles and Harry, and aides declined further comment beyond confirming the King and Queen's movements and official engagements.