Cancer-stricken King Charles beamed this morning as Queen Camilla greeted well-wishers in a friendly manner as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.
The couple had arrived at the Queen’s beloved Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire on Thursday to relax and celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary.
The king’s arrival in Scotland marked the first visit to the country since he revealed his cancer diagnosis in February, sending shockwaves around the world.
Charles has largely withdrawn from public duties since revealing his illness, but he has continued to read his daily red boxes and have his weekly audience with the Prime Minister.
Providing a much-needed boost to the British public, who are still reeling from the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis last month, the royal was seen everywhere.
Cancer-stricken King Charles beamed this morning as Queen Camilla greeted well-wishers in a friendly manner as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.
Cancer-stricken King Charles beamed this morning as Queen Camilla greeted well-wishers in a friendly manner as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.
He made an appearance alongside other members of the royal family at the Easter Sunday service at Sandringham, shaking hands and chatting with royal fans who lined the nearby road.
After arriving at Aberdeen Airport from RAF Northolt, northwest London, on Thursday evening, Charles and Camilla headed to Birkenhall.
Birkenhall was the residence of the late Queen Mother on the Balmoral estate and later became the king’s possession.
It is seven miles from the castle that the King and Queen spent their honeymoon after being married on April 11, 2005.
The monarch, like his daughter-in-law Kate, has not revealed what type of cancer he is battling.
It is unclear whether he has completed treatment or is recovering between treatments while visiting the Scottish Highlands.
Doctors had previously advised Charles to avoid any public events and large-scale visits to protect his health during a crucial stage of his treatment.
Despite this, he has remained in the public eye and it is understood he will “increase” his schedule in the coming weeks.
Charles and Camilla celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary at Birkhall, their Balmoral Estate home, on April 8, 2020.
Looking towards the house which dates from 1715, across Birkhall Garden, on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire
The King and Queen were pictured arriving in Aberdeen for a romantic break at their beloved Highland retreat as the couple celebrate 19 years of marriage.
An insider previously told the Mail: ‘The idea of a cloistered monarch simply would not be accepted in this day and age and would only create damaging speculation about Her Majesty’s health.’
A source added last month: “While it is too early to confirm things – and, of course, it is relatively early in Her Majesty’s treatment cycle – the patient is positive, doctors are optimistic and the treatments are incredibly sophisticated.”
However, before potentially establishing himself further in the public eye, Charles retreated to a secluded estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.
Queen Elizabeth spent most of her summers on the estate, horseback riding or taking long walks.
It is understood Charles had previously used the Birkhall retreat to recover from a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with an enlarged prostate during his time there.
He also chose it as a honeymoon destination with Camilla after they married 19 years ago, and they spent New Year’s Day there last year.
The monarch is said to be “so optimistic” about his treatment that he hopes to attend Royal Ascot this summer, as well as some of the garden parties at Buckingham Palace that honor community and military heroes.
The Balmoral Estate has been home to the royal family for over a century.
Earlier this month it was revealed that the King would open the interior of Balmoral to the public for the first time from July 1.
Buckingham Palace will also be open to the public.
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