It’s not every day you see a monarch behind the wheel, but King Charles broke the mold this morning by driving himself to the traditional morning service at Crathie Kirk near his Scottish retreat, Balmoral Castle.
The 76-year-old king seemed perfectly at ease as he navigated the short, scenic drive—less than half a mile—through a dappled wooded lane with the windows down, enjoying the fresh Aberdeenshire air.
A Royal Tradition Continues Amid Summer Holidays
This marks King Charles’s first public sighting since his visit to RAF Lossiemouth earlier this week, where he re-presented the squadron standard to Number 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron.
The event took place in the coastal town of Lossiemouth, Moray, not far from Balmoral.
The annual summer stay in the Royal Deeside area is a long-standing tradition for the British monarchy, going back to Victorian times.
This year, Charles will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales during the holiday period.
Honouring Service Members and Their Families at RAF Lossiemouth
During his visit to the RAF base, King Charles took time to address servicemen and women, alongside their families.
He acknowledged the crucial support that families provide, calling it “the foundation upon which this Squadron’s success is built.”
He expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the nation for the sacrifices made and the strength offered by the loved ones of those serving, emphasizing how vital their encouragement is in enabling the squadron’s dedication to duty.
Meeting Personnel and Community Representatives
Beyond the formalities, Charles spent time with personnel and relatives from various locations, including those stationed in Cyprus and Poland defending NATO’s eastern borders.
He also met with representatives of community projects—one focused on supporting families of deployed service members, and another involved in planting Christmas trees on Lossiemouth Beach.
The visit included a thrilling flypast featuring two Typhoon bombers and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, after which the king toured squadron buildings and met the crew of a multi-role maritime patrol plane.
RAF Lossiemouth’s Critical Role in UK Air Defence
RAF Lossiemouth is one of the UK’s two Quick Reaction Alert stations, charged with constant protection of British airspace.
It hosts four Typhoon fighter squadrons, three Poseidon MRA1 squadrons, and RAF Regiment squadrons including Royal Auxiliary reserves.
Balmoral Opens Its Doors to the Public
Last year, Balmoral Castle welcomed visitors for the first time ever—a historic shift from the late Queen’s strict tradition of keeping the estate private during her reign.
Guests have since been able to tour several rooms inside the castle, not just the ballroom and grounds as in previous years.
This year, the estate’s grounds, gardens, and exhibitions are open to visitors until August 10, with plans to reopen for the Autumn Artisan Markets in October.
A Beloved Scottish Sanctuary for Generations
Originally purchased in 1852 for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert, Balmoral spans more than 50,000 acres and remains a cherished family retreat.
Victoria called it “my dear paradise in the Highlands,” a sentiment shared by the late Queen, who also considered it one of her favourite residences.
