King Charles retreats to Highgrove after week of royal appointments

King Charles has retired to Highgrove for a day of rest after his mother’s coffin was brought to Westminster Hall for her funeral on Monday.

Marking the end of a whirlwind, emotional UK tour, King Charles has retired to Highgrove where we will rest for a day as he prepares for his mother’s funeral on Monday.

It comes after a week of duties undertaken by the reigning monarch, which were outlined in Operation London Bridge, the carefully-devised plan of what would take place following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

According to the BBC, Charles will use the day at his Gloucestershire home to prepare for his new role as King, having already received red boxes of cabinet documents and daily parliamentary summaries.

RELATED: Get the latest news on the royal family following the Queen’s death

King Charles as his mother’s coffin arrived at Westminster Hall. Picture: Getty Images.

Charles and members of the royal family left Westminster Hall in procession. Picture: Getty Images.

The King will receive this information every day of the year except Christmas Day.

All of the papers have to be read and, where necessary, approved and signed.

Stay up to date with the latest news on the British Royals with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

The Queen’s coffin was brought from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall this afternoon, where she will lie in state until her funeral on Monday.

Crowds of mourners have gathered outside the Queen’s resting place, where her coffin will be on display, queuing for kilometres to pay their respects to the longest-serving monarch ahead of the official ceremony.

It comes after the bereaved King, his siblings, and sons Princes William and Harry marched behind the gun carriage carrying the Queen as she left Buckingham Palace for the final time, with thousands of grief-stricken members of the public watching on.

King Charles led the procession, with Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward behind him.

Also taking part in the procession were Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Snowdon.

Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank joined them. Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was not invited.

William and Harry, who have been estranged in recent years, appeared to have struck a temporary truce, as they walked alongside each other in the procession.

Andrew and Harry wore morning suits, rather than military regalia, as they are no longer working royals. They did, however, wear their medals.

At Westminster Hall, Prince Harry walked behind his brother, with Meghan by his side. Picture: Getty Images.

Princess Kate and Duchess Meghan later joined their husbands in Westminster for a short service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Hall.

It was the first time the ‘Fab Four’ had been seen together since they surprised crowds outside Windsor Castle to greet mourners on Saturday.

After the ceremony, Meghan and Harry“broke ranks” as they walked out hand-in-hand.

Originally published as King Charles retreats to Highgrove after week of royal appointments