King charles holds back tears as he heads back to balmoral after church service

King Charles appeared to hold back tears as he was driven back to Balmoral Castle after attending a private church service in Crathie Kirk this morning. He is choosing to mark the day, which

also signifies the day he became monarch, with private memorial prayers and a moment of quiet reflection. Charles, dressed in a red tartan kilt, and Camilla, in a blue day dress and

cardigan, were pictured heading back to Balmoral after a 30-minute service and brief walkabout - and the King looked overcome with emotion. Camilla was sat clutching a beautiful bouquet of

flowers. This morning's event will be a deeply personal moment for the King, who became sovereign when his mother died peacefully on September 8 last year at Balmoral, aged 96, after

reigning for a historic 70 years. Shortly before 10am, the King and Queen made the short journey from Balmoral to the Scottish church, where they were joined by just a handful of guests.

Members of the public, including pupils from Crathie Primary School, Balmoral estate workers and members of the royal household gathered outside in the autumn sunshine. Charles and Camilla

were joined by the late Queen's niece and nephew, Lady Sarah Chatto and the Earl of Snowdon. The late Queen was close to her sister Princess Margaret's children, especially Lady

Sarah who she saw often. The earl was accompanied by his daughter Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, and Lady Sarah by her husband Daniel and children Samuel and Arthur. Former dean of the

Chapel Royal in Scotland Iain Torrance was giving the sermon. The King and Queen stayed inside the church for about 30 minutes, before leaving and making their way to greet some of the

wellwishers. They then headed back to Balmoral Castle where they will spend the rest of the day. Prince William and Kate will visit the Welsh cathedral of St Davids for a short private

service as part of a trip to Pembrokeshire later today. It comes after they shared a message on Twitter this morning, which read: "Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C." It was accompanied by a family photo of the late monarch surrounded by her great-grandchildren including Prince George,

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and her two youngest grandchildren.