Senior royals gather for first summer holiday break at Balmoral since Queen’s death: Charles and Camilla are joined by Prince William, Kate, Andrew, Edward, Sophie and the Queen’s lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey as they attend church

The royal family gathered at the church in Balmoral today as they enjoyed their first summer holiday at the royal estate since the Queen spent her last days there before her death a year ago.

As the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death approaches, all senior working members of the royal family were seen attending church near the estate where she died on September 8 last year.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by his son Prince William and daughter-in-law Princess Catherine for their traditional Sunday morning service.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were accompanied by the disgraced Prince Andrew, while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh accompanied the Princess and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The photo also featured Lady Susan Hussey attending the church of Crathie Kirk, the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting and one of her closest confidants.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the group, having spent their summer holidays at the Scottish estate

It is the first time such a large number of members of the royal family have gathered at the Scottish estate since Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8 last year.

A sudden decline in her health at the age of 96 had last year led to a rush from senior royals to see her at Aberdeenshire castle, but many couldn’t make it before she passed away.

Buckingham Palace had stated that King Charles intended to spend the anniversary of her death peacefully at Balmoral, while he was visited by family and friends.

While it is known that the King and Queen Camilla prefer to stay at Birkhall, their private home on the Aberdeenshire estate, Charles has abandoned his preference for tradition in honor of his late mother.

He will be staying at the Scottish residence for three weeks, meaning he will be there next month on the anniversary of his mother’s death.

Yesterday, the King, along with Queen Camilla, took part in a traditional ceremony to present a new color to the Royal Guard

A new color called the Ballater color was used at the ceremony, which will be used by the Royal Guard as it marks a new monarch.

It is used by the soldiers guarding Balmoral Castle while the King is at his residence during the summer months.

Prince Andrew was driven to church by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Lady Susan Hussey, the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting, was also seen among the group on their way to church this morning

The castle was where Queen Elizabeth II’s last photograph was taken before she passed away last September. Pictured: Her Majesty in Balmoral’s drawing room before having an audience with then Prime Minister Liz Truss two days before she died

Prince Edward was seen driving to church in a car carrying his wife Sophie, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Princess Anne

Members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland form a guard of honor for the Royal Family at Crathie Church this morning

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland march away from Crathie Church for Sunday service

Last year, the military ceremony took place behind closed doors to maximize the comfort of the Queen, who was in poor health.

It was reported that most members of the Royal Family were expected to visit at some point during the King’s stay at Balmoral.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, were due to arrive, as well as Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children were also expected to visit.

However, there were question marks over whether Prince Andrew, who stayed at the castle every year in early August with his ex-wife Sarah and their two daughters, would be there too.

The king paid a visit to the kibosh by extending the opening hours for the public by two weeks.

But this seems to have come to an amicable conclusion after Charles extended “an olive branch” to his younger brother by inviting him and his ex-wife to the summer meeting.

Andrew, 63, drove himself to the 50,000 acre estate on Royal Deeside before being later joined by Sarah, who flew to Aberdeen. The couple are staying at the seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge on the estate, favored by the late Queen.

A royal insider insisted it was “no contempt” that the couple were staying at the lodge rather than the main house, telling the Express: “The King and Andrew are now on much better terms and making him the first member of the family that joins them he is an olive branch.’