King Charles is shaking things up in the British monarchy as he breaks a long-held tradition of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In January, the Queen would typically spend most of the month at her beloved Sandringham estate in Norfolk before returning to London in February.
However, King Charles, along with Queen Camilla, has decided to spend the rest of the month in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, instead of following this tradition.
Unlike his late mother, who cherished the Sandringham estate and would spend the entire month there, King Charles plans on creating his own traditions.
He will begin the new year by retreating to his Bercall home on the Balmoral estate in Scotland.
Additionally, he is expected to visit the Castle of May on Scotland’s north coast, a property previously owned by his grandmother, the late Queen Mother.
During his time in Scotland, King Charles intends to take a break from public engagements and enjoy some quality time with his friends and family.
This decision marks a departure from the usual royal routine, where public appearances and official duties often dominate their schedules.
On New Year’s Eve, King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen waving to well-wishers as they attended a church service.
The couple received warm greetings from the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham Usher, and Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rees-Williams at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
This event was one of the last public appearances before their retreat to Scotland.
On Christmas Day, the royal family adhered to tradition by attending a church service on the King’s Sandringham estate.
Among those present were the Princess Royal and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara and Mike Tyndall with their daughters Mia and Lena, and Prince William and Kate with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The Christmas Day service also saw the attendance of Princess Beatrice and her husband Eddardo Moppeli-Mozzi, as well as Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
While the late Queen Elizabeth II often attended Sunday services during her stay at Sandringham, King Charles is opting for a change of scenery.
By spending time in Scotland, he hopes to rejuvenate and create new memories in a place that holds significance for his family.