Camilla beams with Charles by her side again – after being at the helm of the Royal Family amid the King's cancer battle – as the pair make a visit to Sunday Service at Crathie Church

Queen Camilla has been pictured beaming while accompanying the king to church in Scotland today.

The royal couple were snapped as they drove from the Sunday service at Crathie Church.

King Charles, 75, took the wheel of the car, while Camilla, 76, sat next to him in the passenger seat.

She appeared to be smiling as they made their way from the service together, after making several solo appearances amid the monarch’s cancer battle.

In what appeared to be rainy weather, the queen wore a large hat with a fur brim, with a brown tweed overcoat and green scarf.

Queen Camilla is pictured smiling as she sits next to her husband after attending a church service together

The royal is snapped waving at crowds while visiting Belfast in Northern Ireland in March this year

Meanwhile, her husband also donned tweed, in a brighter beige colour, wearing a suit with a white shirt and blue and yellow striped tie. 

Camilla has been praised for keeping the royal family united during her husband’s absence.

However, he has now been given the go-ahead by doctors to return to public-facing duties.

It comes after Camilla has been praised by other members of the Firm and well wishers for her steadfast presence amid a turbulent time.     

Once considered to be one of the most hated women in Britain, many have been won over by Her Majesty’s humour and strong sense of duty.

Not least the youngest generation, who appear to have been some of the royal’s biggest fans in recent weeks as she has been entrusted with important solo engagements and stood in for the monarch.

Thanks to her natural warmth and ability to connect with families, Kate is often referred to as the ‘Children’s Princess’ by royal enthusiasts.

But while the mother-of-three undergoes cancer treatment, Camilla seems to have taken on the role of a grandmotherly figure for the youngsters lining the streets, all eager to meet the Queen on her public engagements.

King Charles drives the couple away from church in Scotland today. The king has announced he will be returning to some public facing royal duties

The King’s wife, who has five grandchildren of her own, has even said yes to selfies with children – despite the Royal Family previously shying away from being snapped with members of the public.

For her visit to Shrewsbury in Shropshire, last month, one adorable little girl held up a handmade poster which read: ‘I [love] Queen Camilla.’ 

In another heartwarming moment, 11-year-old Charlie Davies asked Camilla for a selfie while she greeted well-wishers who had gathered in the town centre. 

Charlie was stood amongst the crowd with his mother Lucy, his grandmother and his aunties when his parent encouraged him to ask Camilla for a picture.

Lucy can be heard in the video, saying: ‘Go on Charlie, go on Charlie’. He then steps forward and politely asks the Queen: ‘Excuse me, Camilla, can I have a picture?’. She smiles and obliges, responding: ‘Okay’. 

Elsewhere last month, Camilla stood in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy service in Worcester, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch.

The King’s wife, who has five grandchildren of her own, has even said yes to selfies with children – despite the Royal Family previously shying away from being snapped with members of the public. Pictured during a visit in Cambridge in February

Queen Camilla has also been praised for her grounding presence for the royal family – despite Her Majesty in past describing royal duties as being ‘tiring’ to carry out. Pictured with Princess Anne, left, and Queen Anne Marie of Greece at the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine of the Hellenes in February

Camilla has been the ‘steady hand on the tiller’ amid the King’s cancer diagnosis, a former royal butler has said. Pictured next to the King during his Coronation

Camilla pictured on her to visit to the Royal Lancers regiment, her first since being appointed as their Colonel-in-Chief, at Munster Barracks – earlier this month

Her Majesty was greeted by beaming young well-wishers as she arrived at Worcester Cathedral for the traditional Easter ceremony, in which she handed out ceremonial coins to people recognised for their community service.

Earlier this month, Camilla shared another adorable moment with a young schoolgirl, who asked the Queen: ‘Will you be my best friend?’

Queen Camilla has also been praised for her grounding presence for the royal family – despite Her Majesty in past describing royal duties as being ‘tiring’ to carry out.

‘Very tiring,’ she admitted during an audience with the Sultan of Brunei’s wife, Queen Saleha, six years ago. ‘Every day, we’re non-stop. It’s more tiring as you get older. I keep trying to tell everybody that I’m not as young as I used to be, and have to slow down.’ 

But she has been the ‘steady hand on the tiller’ amid the King’s cancer diagnosis, a former royal butler has said.

Speaking to GB News earlier in the year, Paul Burrell remarked that the monarch’s wife is the ‘guiding force’ for the family, as well as being the one behind Charles’s openness regarding his health.

‘I think she is the stabiliser,’ he told the outlet. ‘I think she has that touch. I think she’s able to reach people in a way the King can’t and I think she’s taught him a lot in the last few years about monarchy and how to be King.

Officials also released a beautiful new portrait of Charles and Camilla looking happy and relaxed, which was taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month 

 Camilla had completed one of the most important trips without her husband, visiting Belfast in Northern Ireland for a series of engagements that had been arranged before the King was diagnosed with cancer

Elsewhere last month, Camilla stood in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy service in Worcester, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch

Camilla pictured leading Prince Edward, Princess Anne and Prince William for the Commonwealth Day service ceremony in March

‘Isn’t that odd really, that she should come up through the ranks and be so supportive and such a stabilising influence in our modern-day Royal Family.’

Paul started working in Charles and the late Princess Diana’s royal household in 1987 and was the Princess’s personal butler until her death in 1997.

Having himself received treatment for cancer, he also expressed his appreciation for the King’s transparency.

Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Camilla has been praised for her ability to step up to the task when times get tough. 

Her straight-talking sister-in-law Princess Anne said Camilla is ‘not a natural’ at the role – but she ‘does it really well’ and ‘provides that change of speed and tone, that’s equally important’.

This all comes after a long period of time when Camilla would not have dreamed she’d be Queen of this country in her 70s, even after her marriage to Prince Charles.

But the past months have seen her prove her place in the Royal Family. Buckingham Palace announced in February that the King had been diagnosed with cancer and would be taking a break from his public-facing duties as he began treatment. 

And straight away, his wife was keeping the ‘royal show on the road’ as she was on duty almost every day, combining back to back engagements with supporting her husband who left hospital with Camilla by his side. 

She was also by the King’s side for Easter Service at Windsor, as the 75-year-old was in high-spirits while making a ‘gentle’ return to public life in his most significant appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.

Last month, it was also reported that Camilla is ‘proud’ to take on more duties in a packed diary of royal events as Charles and the Princess of Wales receive their treatment for cancer.

Meanwhile, it’s not the first time Camilla has been praised for her ability to step up to the task when times get tough. Pictured with Charles on Christmas Day

The Queen is ‘resilient’ and will do anything that is asked of her to help the Royal Family, aides reportedly told The Telegraph – as Camilla had completed one of the most important trips without her husband, visiting Belfast in Northern Ireland for a series of engagements that had been arranged before the King was diagnosed with cancer.

The source added that she was ‘juggling’ her priorities as she wants to support Charles as much as she can, while still fulfilling her duties.

The Royal Family sending Camilla to Belfast on her own reveals they are placing a lot of trust in her, as Northern Ireland is an incredibly sensitive place for the monarchy to visit.

Her Majesty’s presence has been a rock for the Firm, which has been riddled with health concerns as Charles and Kate are both undergoing cancer treatment.

In March, Buckingham Palace said the King was ‘so proud’ of the Princess for her courage in speaking out about her diagnosis and remains in the ‘closest contact’ with his beloved daughter-in-law.

Charles and Camilla have publicly offered their love and support to Kate, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as the family try to come to terms with the news.

She was also by the King’s side for Easter Service at Windsor, as the 75-year-old was in high-spirits while making a ‘gentle’ return to public life in his most significant appearance since being diagnosed with cancer

Camilla has also received praise from her sister-in-law Anne. Pictured at Easter Service at Windsor Castle last month

The monarch is extremely fond of the princess, who has been part of his eldest son the Prince of Wales’s life for more than 20 years.

Charles and Kate share a love of art, gardening and the outdoors – but now their bond sadly stretches to a shared cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

The King and Queen were told the news about Kate’s health beforehand and were aware she was preparing to issue her video message. 

Buckingham Palace said: ‘His Majesty is ‘so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did’.

‘Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has ‘remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks’.

‘Both Their Majesties ‘will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time’.’

The King, who acceded to the throne in September 2022, is undergoing his own course of treatment for cancer, and Camilla said last week he was ‘doing very well’.

He is understood to have been continuing his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.

He had spent three nights in hospital for a procedure on an enlarged prostate, during which time his cancer – not prostate cancer – was discovered.

The monarch is extremely fond of the princess, who has been part of his eldest son the Prince of Wales’s life for more than 20 years. Both pictured in 2021

Rumours online about the health and whereabouts of Kate intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service of his godfather the late King Constantine of Greece on February 27.

It is now understood the Prince’s decision not to attend was related to his wife’s condition, but it is not known exactly when the Princess was told about the positive test for cancer.

Further speculation was triggered after the princess admitted to ‘editing’ her official Mother’s Day photograph which had irregularities.

A further development saw an investigation launched by the UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, into allegations there were attempts to access Kate’s private medical records at the London Clinic where she had her surgery.

It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.

William will continue to balance supporting his wife and family, and maintaining his official duties as he has done since her operation.

Charles is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but his medical team are understood to be ‘pleased with the progress made so far’ and ‘remain positive’ about his recovery. 

To mark the good news Buckingham Palace have also announced two major milestone events, the first of many in the coming months, and passed on Their Majesties grateful thanks for all the good wishes they have received.

On Tuesday the King and Queen will visit a cancer treatment centre – a deeply poignant engagement given his own cancer battle as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales – where they will meet medical specialists and patients.

There are also plans to host an incoming state visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June at the request of the government.

Officials also released a beautiful new portrait of Charles and Camilla looking happy and relaxed, which was taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month.

In a statement Buckingham Palace said tonight: ‘His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.

‘To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients. This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.

‘In addition, The King and Queen will host Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan for a State Visit in June, at the request of HM Government.

‘As the first anniversary of The Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.’

Officials have stressed that His Majesty’s treatment for cancer is still ongoing, saying: ‘His Majesty’s treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public facing duties. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.’

They are not able, at this stage, to specify how long it will continue. A spokesman said: ‘It is too early to say, but His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King’s continued recovery.’

They added that ‘any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way, and will remain subject to doctors’ advice’ and stressed that it would not be a ‘full summer programme’.

The Daily Mail has already exclusively revealed that planning is already underway for him to attend his official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, as well as Royal Ascot and the summer garden parties.

Charles is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but his medical team are understood to be ‘pleased with the progress made so far’ and ‘remain positive’ about his recovery. Charles and Camilla pictured leaving the hospital in February

It is understood that the King is ‘looking forward’ to hosting June’s Japanese state visit, but planning remains fluid as doctors continue to monitor the King’s health. Pictured: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako earlier this month 

It is unclear yet whether he will be able to travel to Normandy in June for the major D-Day anniversary commemorations or to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa as planned in October, but it is understood that the King is keen to if his health allows.

A spokesman added today: ‘ Planning continues for ways in which Their Majesties may attend such Summer and Autumn engagements, though nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this stage. All future plans remain subject to doctors’ advice nearer the time, with appropriate adaptations made where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.’

His duties will include both indoors and outdoors engagements, designed to minimise any health risks to him – such as picking up a cold or other bugs – while his health is compromised.

It is understood that each engagement will be reviewed carefully and managed to receive any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.

Asked how he was feeling, a spokesman said: ‘His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.’

It is understood that the King is ‘looking forward’ to hosting June’s Japanese state visit, but planning remains fluid as doctors continue to monitor the King’s health.

In a separate statement, the palace said: ‘Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom in late June 2024.’

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