King Charles chats to dog walkers, braves the wind and attends church at Sandringham as Queen Camilla continues to recover from a chest infection

King Charles braved the inclement weather to attend a church service alone at Sandringham today as Queen Camilla continues to recover from a chest infection.

The 77-year-old queen has pulled out of a number of royal engagements due to the infection but is said to be “in good shape” and is expected to recover at Sandringham.

But today she did not join her husband King Charles at St Mary Magdalene’s Church on the Norfolk estate, where the monarch attended Sunday morning service.

Arriving at the service, King Charles stopped to chat with a couple of dog walkers passing by the Grade II listed parish church.

They seemed to talk for a few moments, Charles struggling against the wind from Storm Burt, his tailored brown coat flapping around his lap.

The king dressed his thick coat with gray trousers and carried an umbrella to protect himself from the rain if it threatened to fall.

His solo trip to Sandringham comes as Queen Camilla continues to recover from a respiratory infection that has forced her to pull out of a number of royal outings.

It is understood that Camilla stayed in London until Saturday and then went to Sandringham for a week as planned.

The Queen’s friends say she is in good spirits and has turned down engagements only because she doesn’t want to spoil anyone’s fun with her cough.

They claim Camilla is “in good shape” but coughs whenever she speaks.

Palace insiders say there is no cause for concern.

Although the Queen was able to attend several events last week, she left King Charles alone to enjoy the royal variety show on Friday.

A royal source said: “(The Queen) firmly believes the show must go on and hopes to return to full strength and regular public duties very soon.”

Given the length and lateness of Friday’s engagement, the Queen “sensibly” decided to listen to doctors’ advice and not “overexert” herself, sources said.

They say she’s still feeling a little unwell, but overall. on the mend. A royal source said Her Majesty was “naturally disappointed to have missed the evening’s entertainment and sincerely apologizes to everyone involved.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Following a recent respiratory tract infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms and as a result doctors have advised that after a busy week of events, Her Majesty should prioritize adequate rest.

“It is therefore with great regret that she has withdrawn from (Friday’s) Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will be present as planned.

Despite his wife’s absence, King Charles seemed delighted to see the stars at the Royal Variety Performance.

Looking dapper in a crisp tuxedo, the monarch laughed as he entered the Royal Albert Hall and was greeted by Sir Elton John.

The monarch also accepted a bouquet intended for his wife from eight-year-old Iris King-Taylor and ten-year-old Louis Cooper, which included flowers collected from the gardens of Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity’s orphanage in Twickenham, south-west London, which reflected the flowers which the Queen carried on her wedding day.

The Royal Variety Show, an annual event on Buckingham Palace’s calendar, is the oldest entertainment show in the world, dating back to 1912.

He supports the Royal Variety Charity, which helps members of the UK entertainment industry who need help and assistance, including those who have fallen on hard times or need mental health support.

This is the first year that His Majesty has visited the Royal Variety Charity.

Star-studded performances in this year’s show include performances from new productions of Oliver and The Devil Wears Prada, a song by this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydney Christmas, whose prize is a live performance, and the magical duo Penn & Teller. .

The 2024 Royal Variety Performance will be televised over the Christmas and New Year period.