Time for some Royal R&R! King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Aberdeen for a restful – and romantic – break at their beloved Birkhall retreat as pair celebrate 19 years of marriage in the healing Highlands

The King and Queen are pictured arriving in Aberdeen for a romantic break at their beloved Highland retreat as the couple celebrate 19 years of marriage.

Pictures show Charles and Camilla arriving at Aberdeen Airport this evening after flying from RAF Northolt in North West London.

Since they tied the knot on April 9, 2005, the King and Queen have celebrated their anniversary almost every year during the retreat.

They flew into Aberdeen Airport before being driven to the late Queen Mother’s home, seven miles from the castle, where they also spent their honeymoon.

The visit comes as the king battles an unknown form of cancer. It is unclear whether he has completed his care or is recovering between treatments.

Charles and Camilla celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary at Birkhall, their home on the Balmoral Estate, on April 8, 2020

Looking at the house dating from 1715, across the road from Birkhall, on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire

His late mother, Queen Elizabeth, often used the Balmoral estate as a place of relaxation and the king’s arrival comes just months after his diagnosis sent shockwaves around the world.

The news was later compounded by the announcement that his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, was also suffering from cancer.

Charles was previously advised by doctors to avoid large-scale public events and visits to protect his health during a crucial stage of his treatment.

Despite this, he has been keen to remain in the public eye since revealing in February that he had cancer following a procedure for an enlarged prostate. An insider previously told the Mail: ‘The idea of ​​a locked-up monarch would not work these days and will only lead to damaging speculation about His Majesty’s health.’

It’s clear he plans to ‘ramp up’ his schedule in the coming weeks.

A source said last month: ‘While it is too early to confirm things – and it is of course relatively early in His Majesty’s treatment cycle – the patient is positive, the doctors are optimistic and the treatments are incredibly advanced.’

But like his mother before him, Charles appears to be taking advantage of the remote estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park to take a break and recover.

Balmoral is where Queen Elizabeth spent most summers, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and much-needed rest, during which time she tended her Highland ponies and enjoyed walks around the extensive estate.

The King and Queen’s plane lands at Aberdeen Airport for their anniversary getaway

King Charles III was seen waving to royal fans as he left Clarence House in London earlier on Wednesday

Charles and Camilla at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate in January 2005, months before their April wedding

It is understood that Charles previously used the Birkhall retreat to recover from a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with an enlarged prostate during his stay there.

He also chose it as his honeymoon destination with Camilla after their wedding 19 years ago, and they spent New Year’s Day there last year.

The monarch is said to be ‘so optimistic’ about his treatment that he hopes to attend Royal Ascot this summer, as well as some of the garden parties at Buckingham Palace honoring community and military heroes.

The Balmoral estate has been home to the royal family for more than a century.

Earlier this month it was announced that the king will open the interior of Balmoral to the public for the first time from July 1.

A palace spokesman confirmed yesterday that the king and queen were staying at Birkhall, but said they would not comment further as it was a private visit.

The King and Queen celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary yesterday and will spend quality time together at the serene royal estate from today.