Here are some assorted photos of King Charles on July 17th and 18th. On the 17th, he had the state opening of Parliament, where he wore the Imperial State Crown and made a speech about poverty. The next day, Charles wore a summer suit and met with European leaders at Blenheim Palace, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They called it the European Political Community meeting, because they can’t say “it’s basically an EU meeting.” France’s President Emmanuel Macron came over, as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were also there. Charles was in his element, glad-handing and charming world leaders and laughing at his own jokes. This was possibly his last big event before he began his summer holiday though – the Mail claims that the king’s staff are insisting that he really take some time off, and basically, we won’t hear much from Charles until the fall:
King Charles is set to enjoy an extended summer in Scotland as he returns to the ‘traditional’ royal holiday schedule. The late Queen spent three months each year at her Highland hideaway Balmoral, but last year the King returned to London early, leading to speculation he would not adopt his mother’s approach. Aides say Charles is planning to stay north of the border for longer this summer, in keeping with the late Queen’s pattern, and say he is looking forward to a rest.
[King Charles’s] packed schedule has led to concerns that the King, 75, has been overdoing it as he undergoes cancer treatment, but aides insist his diary is very carefully calibrated on medical advice. The mood at the Palace has been ‘very encouraged’ by the recent programme, with the royal calendar looking reassuringly normal.
On the first Saturday of August, the King is set to don his kilt for the Mey Highland Games in John o’Groats. It is expected he and Queen Camilla will stay at the Castle of Mey, the beloved former home of the Queen Mother, nestled in Caithness at the tip of Scotland. For the rest of the summer, they will stay either at Birkhall, or the late Queen’s beloved Balmoral, inviting family and – as is tradition – the Prime Minister.
And on the first Saturday in September, the King will join the annual Braemar Gathering at the Cairngorms National Park, a firm favourite of the late Queen. The second anniversary of her death, like the first, will be spent in quiet reflection at Balmoral.
In October, they will fly to Australia and Samoa for Charles’s first foreign royal tour since his diagnosis. Australian sources say health concerns mean the King will not undertake all-day events. It is believed he will visit the New South Wales Parliament House and a major attraction, possibly the Sydney Opera House. The King and Queen will then fly to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The Mail on Sunday understands aides are scouting for accommodation on the island, with options including an eco-friendly resort.
So Charles will pop out a few times in Scotland, but he’ll spend the rest of the summer there and the next big setpiece on his schedule is the October trip. QEII would do this too, as the Mail mentioned – she would stay at Balmoral until mid to late September almost every year. She hated to be called back to London before she was ready. Some years, she would go from Balmoral to Sandringham, just because she didn’t want to go back to London. Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla have been running back and forth between a dozen different castles, palaces and mansions for months. Anyway, I wonder if they’ve worked out some way for Charles to receive his “targeted cancer treatment” in Scotland.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
- Britain’s King Charles wears the Imperial State Crown and Queen Camilla wears the Diamond Diadem during a ceremony on the day of the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Britain, July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah,Image: 890314388, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hannah McKay / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles wears the Imperial State Crown and Queen Camilla wears the Diamond Diadem during a ceremony on the day of the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Britain, July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah,Image: 890314414, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hannah McKay / Avalon
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla depart Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach to attend the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster,Image: 890670534, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: celebrityphotos uk / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles talks with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890682967, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890683044, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as they attend an audience during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890683060, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890683100, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis next to President of France Emmanuel Macron during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890683109, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
- Britain’s King Charles greets leaders during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, Britain July 18, 2024.,Image: 890683161, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Hollie Adams / Avalon
This is an adult man with absolutely zero appeal. I can’t find one thing about him that could possibly be considered the least bit positive.
I think of the lovely, dynamic and charismatic Diana and the myriad of ways she suffered his stale arrogance.
At least her history will always be that of unique beauty in every way a woman can be beautiful.
Him, not even close.
I’m 60, and I remember his younger years. He was a weird-looking young man with jug ears, too-close eyes, a mop of hair, and a hangdog look about him. When he and Diana were engaged, even before we all knew about the side piece, I thought that she wouldn’t have given him a second glance if he hadn’t had the prospect of a crown and a throne before him. Now that we all know more about him and his character, I wish to God that Diana had run like hell, even if her face was already on the tea towels.
I hope his mother haunts his ass the entire summer in Scotland.
Where was William, The Global Statesman, in all of this?
watching football, lol.
Say what you want about Chuck but he’s very good at this kind of thing, he acts like a politician – Pegs should be taking notes. He will always be the sullen teenager who likes he knows best but is the family fk up.
He made the King’s Speech, which is written for him by the government and sets out their legislative programme. He doesn’t care about poverty.
Still baffled as to what these people consider to be work.
When are these people not on holiday?
I’m not really sure why, but I have a very strong feeling that Charles is not coming back from his summer vacation. (It’s a long story involving ill omens from a Grumpy Cat page-a-day calendar, which HAS predicted several deaths.)
Or maybe I’m just anticipating disaster because of other things going on in the political sphere this week.
I would like to hear more if you’re willing!!!
So, no sign of the Wales family and kids going to visit gramps this summer?
Maybe that means this year we’ll be spared the usual three act drama from the press claiming that H&M are
1. ‘snubbing the king by not visiting him in Scotland’,
2. ‘weren’t invited to Balmoral as Charles needs to rest’
3. ‘wanted to visit Charles but William said they couldn’t’
Or will we still get the rota churning out this rubbish?