King Charles gets behind the wheel with Queen Camilla as he drives to Crathie Kirk Church in Balmoral
The King was behind the wheel as he and the Queen drove to church at Balmoral this morning.
Charles and Camilla are, as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip always did, enjoying an extended summer break – now into October – at their Scottish residence.
The royal couple appeared in good spirits as they made their way from Balmoral to Crathie Kirk Church.
Looking typically stylish, Camilla, 76, opted for an emerald green hat and suit, with a frilled white blouse. She added to her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup.
The King, 74, meanwhile, looked smart in a green and red tie teamed with his cream coat and white shirt.
The King was behind the wheel as he and the Queen drove to church at Balmoral this morning
Their outing comes after a royal expert claimed the King is said to be ‘subtly punishing’ Prince Harry over their rift, while Prince William is ‘full of regret’ that his and his brother’s ‘relationship is irretrievably broken’.
The British monarch, 74, will now only communicate with his youngest son, 39, through palace advisors, reported The Sun.
Royal author Duncan Larcombe told the publication: ‘It appears that King Charles’ approach towards Harry now is business as usual – “if you want to see me you need to make an appointment”.
‘Harry will have to get past the grey suits and jump through hoops to talk to his father. It’s very standoffish but I think that’s a way that the King is subtly punishing his son.’
The royal expert claimed the King is still upset by the claims the Duke of Sussex made in his memoir Spare – particularly those concerning Queen Camilla, in which she was labelled ‘dangerous’ and a ‘villain’.
It is believed King Charles, 74, will now only communicate with his youngest son Prince Harry (pictured together in 2019), 39, through palace advisors
Indeed, it was reported that Camilla herself was ‘hurt’ by the contents of the book, according to one of her closest friends.
‘Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts,’ Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne – who was one of the Queen’s official companions at the King’s Coronation, told the Sunday Times.
‘But she doesn’t let it get to her. Her philosophy is always, “Don’t make a thing of it and it will settle down – least said, soonest mended.”‘
Meanwhile, Duncan said Prince William, 41, and Harry’s ‘relationship is irretrievably broken’.
The expert said: ‘I’m sure William is full of regret that things are the way they are, as they were once very close… But Harry has offered up a betrayal that no brother should put up with.’
Earlier this year, insiders expressed their belief that a reconciliation between Harry, Prince William and their father is not out of the realm of possibility.
Meanwhile, Duncan said Prince William, 41, and Harry’s ‘relationship is irretrievably broken’. Pictured, the brothers in July 2021
‘It’s fixable,’ they told The Times. ‘Both sides need to hold their hands up and admit ”we didn’t get everything right, and we got a lot wrong”… It’s going to take flexibility on all sides, but it can be done.’
‘It needs Harry over here, in the room with the King and Prince of Wales, a couple of other family members, some of ‘his people’ he trusts who always had his back, so he doesn’t think he’s being ambushed.’
However, the Prince of Wales may be slightly harder to win over, the source added.
Harry had shared deeply personal recollections of brotherly spats, revealed text messages between his wife Meghan and the Princess of Wales during their now infamous bridesmaid dress argument and accused the future King and Queen of endorsing his Nazi costume.
Even still, the royal source says William’s loyalty is ultimately to his country, and he will reconcile if he believes it’s the best thing for the future of the monarchy.
