King Charles marks the second anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II with a moving service at Balmoral

King Charles marked the second anniversary of the death of his beloved late mother Queen Elizabeth II with a moving service at Balmoral.

The 75-year-old monarch arrived with his wife, Queen Camilla Sunday, at Crathie Kirk, a small church on the late ruler's favorite Balmoral estate.

The couple attended a memorial service in honour of the King's late mother, who died at Balmoral on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96.

For Charles, the date has a double symbolic meaning, as it is also the second anniversary of his accession to the throne.

A small group of royalists gathered outside the church in the hope of catching a glimpse of the King and Queen as they arrived.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2005, sat in the back seat of a maroon Bentley as they arrived at the gathering.

For this occasion, Charles chose a dark grey jacket with a pink floral lapel.

Camilla wore a green jacket with red and green tartan lapels. She completed her look with a green hat with feathers.

The service was led by Rev. Kenneth MacKenzie, who cared for the late Queen Elizabeth II in her final days.

The guest preacher at the service, the Right Reverend Dr Shaw Paterson, described the anniversary as “particularly significant and poignant for the Royal Family”.

After the service, he described how Charles was “very well known and loved” in the local community around Balmoral and was “an integral part of it” – just like Her late Majesty.

“It was a privilege to preach to the congregation of Crathie Kirk, which included King Charles III and members of the Royal Family,” he said at the service.

“This weekend is particularly significant and poignant for the Royal Family, and indeed for all of us in Scotland, across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, as 8 September marks the second anniversary of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and the accession of His Majesty to the Throne.”

Last respects were paid to the late monarch on Sunday, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paying tribute to “70 glorious years of her reign.”

The royal family's official X-Account also published a tribute, sharing a photo of the late Queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2019.

“In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022,” the post said.

Charles spent the summer at his royal residence in the Scottish Highlands, where his mother spent her final days.

Following the news of his cancer diagnosis in February and the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis the following month, the King's second year as monarch has come at a difficult time.

After taking a break from royal duties to focus on his treatment, Charles returned to his public duties in April.