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Royal family attends Sunday church service near Balmoral estate

The King and Queen, along with other members of the royal family, were spotted at the Crathie Kirk on Sunday.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla  leave after attending a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a Sunday church service today near Balmoral estate.(Image: Paul Campbell/PA Wire)

Members of the Royal family were spotted today attending a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk, near the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.


King Charles III and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children to attend the service in the north east.


Arriving in separate cars, William was seen to be driving his family to the 130-year-old church, while Kate sat in the passenger seat sporting a stunning new hair colour.


While the royal couple are in Scotland they are instead referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. This is a title bestowed to the male heir of the Scottish throne and is to be used when he and his wife are within the country.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, with Princess Charlotte attend a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also in attendance with their three children.(Image: Paul Campbell/PA Wire)

Other members of the Royal family also seen to be in attendance were the Princess Royal - Princess Anne - as well as the Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Edward.


Over the summer months the Royal family traditionally holidays at the Balmoral estate and regularly visit the small Church of Scotland parish kirk as it is their regular place of worship.

Queen Elizabeth II also regularly attended services at the church, which was built in 1895 after Queen Victoria laid the first foundation stone for the building in 1893.

The royals are believed to be spending quality time together at Barmonal this week for some family fun, which is believed to typically involve picnics, barbecues and walks.


The Princess Royal attend a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
Princess Anne was also spotted heading to Crathie Kirk today.(Image: Paul Campbell/PA Wire)

This annual trip is a good time for the younger members of the family - Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven - to spend some quality time away with their extended family without the pressure of cameras and a royal stage.

This summer holiday comes a week after it was confirmed that William, Kate and their children will be moving to Forest Lodge in Windsor by the end of the year.


Compared to the current home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, the family will be upscaling from a four bedroom home to one with eight.

It is reported that the family hopes the new lodge, which is currently undergoing renovation work, will become their forever home - even when Prince William one day becomes King.

The Duke of Edinburgh leaves after attending a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, also joined his family for the service.(Image: Paul Campbell/PA Wire)

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam has said that staying in Windsor is "ideal" for the family.

He told the Express: "They are fond of Berkshire and its countryside, and also have a London base and press office in Kensington Palace, and a country home in Anmer Hall.

"Forest Lodge, with eight bedrooms and nearby cottages where staff can live, seems ideal. Forest Lodge is a family home, well placed for security purposes and in their beloved countryside too."

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The local community have also been excited to learn about their new royal neighbours, with some describing them as "wonderful" and "good for the country".

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