King Charles attends church prayers on the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death

LONDON — LONDON (AP) — King Charles III visited the church near the royal estate of Balmoral in Scotland on Sunday, the second anniversary of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to pray and pay tribute to her.

Charles, 75, and his wife Camilla spent the summer in the Scottish Highlands, where the late monarch died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96.

Charles and Camilla were seen arriving for Sunday service at the tiny granite church of Crathie Kirk, the royal family's place of worship when they are in residence at nearby Balmoral Castle. Charles' great-great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, laid the foundation stone of the church, and Elizabeth was a regular visitor.

Charles ascended to the throne two years ago on Sunday, when his mother died in the year of her platinum jubilee after reigning for a record seven decades.

His second year as ruler was marked by two serious health setbacks: both Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, were announced earlier this year to have been diagnosed with cancer of an unknown type.

The monarch has gradually returned to his public duties, making dozens of visits, meetings and events. On Saturday, Charles, wearing a tartan kilt, and Camilla were seen laughing and in good spirits as they attended the Braemar Gathering Highland Games, an annual event featuring bagpipes, Highland dancing and traditional games such as tug-of-war.