King Charles Seen at Balmoral for First Time Since Prince Harry's UK Return Was Announced
King Charles stepped out publicly for the first time since news broke that Prince Harry and his family plan to move back to the UK, attending Sunday morning service at Crathie Kirk, the parish church near Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire (HELLO!).
The King had not been seen since arriving at Balmoral the previous Tuesday. His official welcome to the estate took place on August 18, when he met members of the public outside the castle gates (HELLO!). Just two days before that ceremony, Charles was told of Harry's plan to relocate.
Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the first car for the church service. Troops from the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland provided a guard of honour. Behind them came the Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence were also there, along with Prince Edward and his daughter Lady Louise.
The family gathering at Crathie Kirk was the first time Charles had been photographed since the relocation story became public. News of Harry and Meghan's plan to return to British soil by the end of August was first reported on a Wednesday evening. HELLO! reported that Charles was made aware of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plans the Sunday before the church outing. Prince William and Princess Kate were also informed of the decision.
Harry and Meghan are set to return as private individuals, not as working royals. Charles, according to HELLO!, welcomed the opportunity to see more of Harry and his family in a private and personal capacity.
The backdrop carries some history. In his memoir Spare, Harry wrote that Charles once invited him to Balmoral specifically while asking Meghan not to come (HELLO!). This time the return involves the whole family — Harry, Meghan and their two children — and the stated arrangement is settled rather than conditional.
For now, the image from Crathie Kirk is straightforward: a King at his Scottish estate, surrounded by working royals, attending a Sunday service. What happens when Harry and his family actually arrive on British soil, and how the private visits Charles is said to welcome will fit around the household's public schedule, is not yet on the record.
