King Charles III in Scotland
Between flower show and church service
King Charles – in a kilt – is presented with flowers as a welcome.
© IMAGO/Avalon.red
King Charles III had a lot to do in Scotland over the weekend. First he opened a flower show, then there were important visitors.
Colorful hustle and bustle in Aberdeen
King Charles interrupted his holiday in Balmoral for an event in Aberdeen, about an hour and a half away. There, on Saturday, he opened the 200th edition of the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen (RHS) flower show with a giant pair of garden shears – and clearly enjoyed it.
Pictures showhow he greeted the countless fans at the barriers in a great mood, shook hands, accepted flowers and inspected magnificent blossoms and vegetables.
Charles appeared for the occasion in a festive Scottish outfit: he combined a grey waistcoat and jacket with a blue and green checked kilt with dark and red elements. He also wore a brown belt bag with silver decoration. The monarch had pinned a lilac flower to his lapel in keeping with the occasion.
Premiere for the Prime Minister
Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria made their way from London to Aberdeen to spend the weekend with the royal couple.
Traditionally, British monarchs invite prime ministers and their spouses to the Deeside estate to meet them in a more relaxed setting. During the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), prime ministers often stayed for several nights and took part in a busy programme of barbecues and popular sports. Starmer, however, completed a shorter programme of walks around the 53-hectare estate, as well as a private audience with the king and a formal dinner.
On Sunday morning, Starmer and members of the royal family attended a church service at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral. King Charles and Queen Camilla (77) were seen in the back seat of the royal Bentley on the way to the service, from where Charles again happily waved to the crowdPrincess Anne (74) and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence (69), who drove in an off-road vehicle, also took part in the motorcade to Crathie Kirk in the Scottish Highlands.