King attends church service to mark second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death

King and Queen visit Crathie Kirk in Balmoral, a small church which late Queen also frequently attended

The King has attended church near Balmoral for prayers and reflection in memory of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the second anniversary of her death.
The King and Queen arrived at Crathie Kirk, a small church that the late Queen frequently attended, on Royal Deeside for the Sunday morning service, two years on from the King’s accession to the throne.
The King arrived at the service in the back seat of the maroon state Bentley with the Queen at 11.25am. The vehicle made its way slowly up the short drive, past the traditional red phone box which stands on the corner.
The Queen was dressed in a green jacket with red and green tartan lapels and a green hat decorated with a feather. The King had a pink flower in the lapel of his grey jacket.
The King has been staying on his Aberdeenshire estate in the Highlands, where the late Queen died at the age of 96 on September 8 2022.
The King has faced a personally challenging second year as sovereign, marked by the difficult double health blow of his cancer diagnosis and that of his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales.
Tributes were paid to the late Queen to mark the anniversary, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailing the “70 glorious years of her reign”.
“Today marks two years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” Sir Keir said in a statement. “The late Queen’s dedication to the UK and Commonwealth taught us that whatever challenges our country faces, the value of service always endures.
“For the 70 glorious years of her reign, she was at the heart of this nation’s life. Today we honour her memory.”
The guest preacher at the service attended by the King and Queen described the anniversary as “particularly significant and poignant for the Royal family”.
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said he had remembered the royal family in his prayers during his sermon, and it was a privilege to preach to the King, the Queen and rest of the congregation.
After the service, he described how the King was “very well known and liked” in the local community around Balmoral and is “very much part of it”, just like the late Queen.
Dr Paterson said: “It was a privilege to preach to the congregation of Crathie Kirk, which included King Charles III and members of the royal family.
“This weekend is particularly significant and poignant for the royal family, indeed for all of us in Scotland, across the wider UK and Commonwealth, because the 8th of September marks the second anniversary of the death of Her Majesty the Queen and His Majesty’s accession to the throne.
“Like his late mother, His Majesty is very well known and liked in this community and is very much part of it. I remembered the royal family, along with all the people of this parish and the wider nation and Commonwealth in my prayers.”
Later, the King issued a message congratulating Paralympians as the Paris Games finished.
“As this wonderful summer of sport comes to a close in Paris, my wife joins me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to the Paralympian athletes from Great Britain and Northern Ireland – and from across the whole Commonwealth – for their numerous successes at this year’s Games,” the King said.
“Behind every medal won lies a wonderful story of courage, commitment and true talent, matched by a determination that has taken you to the very top.
“We rejoice in your victories while saluting and celebrating all those who have taken part, as well as thanking the support teams who play such a special part in your achievements.
“Your example has succeeded in inspiring, encouraging and lifting the hearts of all. Charles R”.
One of those who gathered to see the King arrive at Crathie Kirk was Diane Brandish, a tourist visiting Scotland from Christchurch in New Zealand.
She said: “We happened to be coming by and I didn’t realise that King Charles would be here.” She added: “Most people in New Zealand follow the royal family quite closely and are aware of the anniversary.”
Diane and her husband saw the King waving at the crowd as he entered the church, saying: “He was very gracious.”