Since the passing of his
mother Queen Elizabeth on September 8, King Charles has
attended back-to-back royal engagements. He will be taking a step away on
Thursday for what has been described as a “private day of
reflection”.
The pair travelled by
helicopter to Camilla’s Ray Hill Wiltshire estate, where King Charles then
made the 30-minute drive to his Highgrove home.
The detailed plan for
Operation London Bridge is thought to have always included a day away from
public duties for the new King, who is expected to return to his engagements on
Friday 16 September.
Following Her Majesty’s
funeral, King Charles is set to tour the UK, visiting each of the four nations.
Starting in England, the monarch will then travel to Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland.
The break comes
hours after the procession for the Queen, for the lying of the state at
Westminster Hall on Wednesday, which saw the royal family reuniting for the
moving service.
Attendees included the King
and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and many of the Queen’s grandchildren
The momentous event marked the
first time that the royal family were all seen together since the death of the
Queen, who died at Balmoral at the age of 96.
Her Majesty’s funeral will be
held on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey.
