Queen Camilla enjoys a day out with her children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes and her grandchildren in Ballater
Queen Camilla was in cheerful mood today as she enjoyed lunch with members of her family in the picturesque Scottish village of Ballater.
The 77-year-old King’s wife smiled broadly and waved to her children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopez, and several grandchildren, before climbing into her waiting car.
She looked tanned and casually dressed and opted for jeans, a shirt and sweater with a green quilted jacket and loafers for her outing in Ballater, the nearest village to Balmoral Castle, where the king arrived today to begin his summer residence.
The photos of the happy family gathering highlight the close bond Camilla has with her two children from her first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles and her grandchildren, who call her Gaga.
In 2022, she told the Mail how they kept her up to date with modern trends like Instagram and TikTok, and she also chatted to them on House Party during lockdown.
Queen Camilla (pictured) was in cheerful mood as she enjoyed lunch with her family in the picturesque Scottish village of Ballater today
The 77-year-old royal wife smiled broadly and waved goodbye to her children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopez, and several of her grandchildren, before climbing into her waiting car
Like Charles, Camilla loves the peace and quiet of Royal Deeside and is eagerly looking forward to the summer holidays, when she can spend hours outside walking her dogs and reading her favourite books.
Earlier today, King Charles looked relaxed as he officially arrived at Balmoral Castle for his annual summer retreat. His Majesty seemed to be thriving in the Highland air, despite his ongoing cancer treatment.
Charles followed in his late mother’s footsteps and also met the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s Shetland pony mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV.
The animal was on its best behavior for the 75-year-old monarch. Earlier, it had tried to eat Queen Elizabeth’s bouquet, prompting her to admonish it: “Go away!”
His official arrival at the private royal estate came two weeks later than usual, as this year, for the first time, a number of rooms in the castle were opened to the public to raise money.
The tickets, which cost £100 each, were so popular they sold out within hours.
During the small ceremony outside the castle gates, the King – dressed in traditional tartan – inspected a guard of honour consisting of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, commanded by Major Neil Cargill.
The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Corps of Signals performed.
Charles has been staying with Camilla at their home in Birkhall until now, but he will be joined by family and friends at Balmoral in the coming weeks.
Like Charles, Camilla (pictured) loves the tranquillity of Royal Deeside and is eagerly looking forward to their summer holidays, when she can spend hours outside walking her dogs and reading some of her favourite books.
The photos from the happy family gathering highlight the close bond Camilla has with her two children from her first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles and her grandchildren – who call her Gaga
King Charles arrived at Balmoral Castle today to begin his summer stay at the Scottish residence
The King is pictured sharing a sweet moment with the Shetland pony Cruachan IV (pictured), the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Charles greeted the audience upon his arrival
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected with their three children, and possibly the Duke of York as well. That could lead to some awkward scenes, given the latest outbreak of the so-called ‘Siege of the Royal Lodge’.
The King wants his brother, Prince Andrew, to move out of the 30-room Windsor mansion now that he is no longer a working royal, but he steadfastly refuses to leave.
This week it was announced that Charles is withdrawing the agreements on the payment of his brother’s security team from October. He is doing this in a new attempt to force Andrew to move to a smaller home.
He would like to move to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s longtime five-bedroom home, but Andrew feels this would be too much of a “demotion”.