King Charles ventured out on a blustery Sunday to attend a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, as Storm Bert swept across the UK.
Dressed warmly for the autumn chill, the King layered his charcoal grey suit with a trusted caramel-toned wool coat and carried a navy umbrella with a traditional crook handle to brave the elements.
Despite the inclement weather, the 76-year-old monarch appeared cheerful, waving to well-wishers and warmly greeting the Reverend with a smile. However, Queen Camilla was notably absent as she continues to recover from a chest infection.
The 77-year-old Queen’s health raised concerns earlier this month when she withdrew from Remembrance events. Her symptoms began following her return with the King from a tour of Australia and Samoa in October. Since then, she has missed several significant engagements, including the Royal Variety Performance on Friday evening.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson explained, “Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms. Doctors have advised that after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise rest. With great regret, she has withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.”
The Palace reassured the public there is no cause for alarm, noting that such symptoms can take time to resolve and that the Queen is sensibly following medical advice to avoid overexertion.
At Friday’s Royal Variety Performance, King Charles enjoyed performances by artists such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and James Bay, as well as a musical number from The Devil Wears Prada presented by Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Vanessa Williams, and the cast.
The event, hosted by comedian Alan Carr and TV presenter Amanda Holden, marked Charles’ first appearance as the Royal Variety Charity’s patron.
The King, who has attended the event 16 times before as a Royal Guest of Honour, made his debut appearance at the Royal Variety Performance in 1968.
