King Charles shields himself from the rain with an umbrella as he attends Sunday morning service at Sandringham
Charles appeared to be in good spirits despite the rainy weather as he attended the Sunday morning service at St. Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham today.
The King, 76, sported an umbrella to shield himself as he enjoyed a scenic stroll – seemingly without his wife Queen Camilla, who had earlier this month pulled out of a series of royal engagements due to a chest infection.
The monarch sported a beige trench-coat for the chilly temperatures, teamed with grey trousers and brown shoes.
He teamed his ensemble with a smart tie, featured a striped multi-coloured design, and a button-up shirt.
It comes following similar scenes last week, when Charles braved the stormy weather as greeted a group of dog walkers in Sandringham.
Arriving for the service, King Charles stopped to chat to a couple of dog walkers who were passing by the Grade-II listed parish church.
They stopped to speak for a few moments, Charles greeting the pups as he battled with the wind from Storm Bert – his tailored, tan overcoat flapping around his knees.
His solo trip in Sandringham, and his sweet moment with the dogs, comes just days after Queen Camilla revealed her beloved rescue dog Beth had died.
Charles appeared in good spirits despite the rainy weather as he attended the Sunday morning service at St. Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham today
Her Majesty adopted Beth from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, in South London, in 2011 and fellow Jack Russell terrier Bluebell joined the family the following year.
Last month, Buckingham Palace revealed that she had passed away. It is understood Beth had an untreatable tumour and had to be put down last weekend.
‘A sad farewell to Beth, The Queen’s much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire’, a spokesman said.
The Royal Family also shared a series of candid pictures of the King and Queen with Beth, including footage of the Jack Russell helping with an official opening.
Beth, along with Bluebell, was so loved by Camilla that she even featured on the Queen’s coronation gown, with goldwork motifs of the two dogs embroidered onto the historic dress which Camilla wore to be crowned.
The King’s solo outing also comes as Queen Camilla continues to recover from a chest infection, which forced her to withdraw from a number of royal outings.
Friends of the Queen say she is in good spirits, and has only pulled out of engagements because she doesn’t want to spoil anyone else’s enjoyment with her cough.
They claim that Camilla is ‘on good form’, but coughs whenever she starts speaking. Palace insiders say there is no cause for alarm.
The King, 76, sported an umbrella as he enjoyed a scenic stroll – seemingly without his wife Queen Camilla, who had earlier pulled out of a series of royal engagements due to a chest infection
Although the Queen managed to attend several functions last week, she left King Charles to enjoy the Royal Variety Performance alone.
A royal source said: ‘[The Queen] is a great believer that the show must go on and hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon.’
Given the length and lateness of last Friday’s engagement, the Queen had, sources said, ‘sensibly’ decided to heed medical advice not to ‘overstretch’ herself.
She is said to be feeling a little under the weather still but, generally speaking. on the mend. A royal source said Her Majesty was ‘naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved’.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Following a recent chest infection, The Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest.
‘With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at [Friday’s] Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.’
Despite being without his wife, King Charles seemed delighted to see the stars at the Royal Variety Performance.
Looking smart in a crisp dinner jacket, the monarch laughed as he entered the Royal Albert Hall – and was met by Sir Elton John.
The Queen (pictured earlier this year) is said to be in good spirits as she recovers from a chest infection
Although the Queen managed to attend several functions last week, she left King Charles to enjoy the Royal Variety Performance alone. The King is pictured at the event last Friday
The monarch also accepted a posy meant for his wife from Iris King-Taylor, eight, and Louie Cooper, ten, which included flowers picked from the gardens of Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity care home in Twickenham, south west London, which mirrored blooms carried by the Queen on her wedding day.
The Royal Variety Show – a hardy annual of the Buckingham Palace calendar – is the world’s longest running entertainment show, dating back to 1912.
It supports the Royal Variety Charity which helps members of the entertainment industry in the UK who need help and assistance, including those that have fallen on hard times or need mental health support.
This is the first year that His Majesty has attended as patron of the Royal Variety Charity.
Star turns in this year’s show includes a performances from the new productions of Oliver and The Devil Wears Prada , a song by Sydney Christmas – the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent programme whose prize it is to perform live – plus magic duo Penn & Teller.
The 2024 Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on TV over the Christmas and New Year holiday.
