King Charles III has been photographed attending a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, a historic church near Balmoral Castle, during the royal family’s traditional summer stay in the Scottish Highlands. His appearance on August 10, 2025, comes at a time of heightened public attention toward the extended royal family, particularly the Duke of York and his relatives.
A Calm Appearance at Crathie Kirk
King Charles, 76, drove himself from Balmoral Castle to Crathie Kirk for the morning service, following a tradition observed by British monarchs for over a century. Photographs published by PA Media and other reputable outlets showed the King in a silver estate car, windows down, appearing composed and at ease.
Crathie Kirk has long been associated with the royal family’s summer retreats at Balmoral. Queen Victoria first began attending the church in the 19th century, and subsequent monarchs have maintained the practice. Services there are typically attended by members of the royal family staying at Balmoral during the summer months.
Recent Public Commentary on the York Family
The King’s solo church outing came just days after royal biographer Andrew Lownie gave an interview to Palace Confidential — a program produced by the Daily Mail — in which he suggested the monarch should maintain some distance from the Duke of York’s family.
Lownie’s comments were framed as personal opinion and not as an official royal position. He noted ongoing public and media scrutiny of Prince Andrew and expressed his belief that the monarchy could face further reputational challenges if associated too closely with the York family.
It is important to note that these remarks are independent commentary and do not represent any formal royal decree, policy change, or statement from Buckingham Palace.
Context: Prince Andrew’s Public Standing
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has faced sustained public criticism and media coverage in recent years related to his past associations. In January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that, with the Queen’s approval, Prince Andrew’s military affiliations and royal patronages had been returned to the Crown. The Duke also stopped using the style “His Royal Highness” in an official capacity.
Since then, he has largely stepped back from public life, with occasional appearances at family events and religious services. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are not working royals but attend certain public events connected to the monarchy. Both maintain careers and charitable work outside official royal duties.
A Monarch Balancing Family and Duty
King Charles’s appearance at Crathie Kirk underscores his ongoing commitment to public engagements and ceremonial traditions, even during the royal family’s annual summer break.
Just four days prior, on August 6, 2025, the King visited RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland. There, he re-presented the Squadron Standard to Number 42 Squadron, a ceremonial duty marking the unit’s service and history. RAF Lossiemouth is a key base for the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter jets, responsible for protecting UK airspace.
These events form part of the King’s schedule as he continues to balance ceremonial roles, constitutional duties, and his personal time at Balmoral.
Royal Summer at Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle, purchased by Queen Victoria in 1852, remains the private Scottish home of the royal family. The estate is traditionally used for holidays, family gatherings, and official receptions during the summer months.
According to The Royal Family’s official website, the King and other senior royals typically spend several weeks there between late July and early September. Members of the family often attend Crathie Kirk services during this period, with photographers capturing their arrivals and departures.
The King is expected to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales — Prince William and Catherine — later in the summer, along with their three children.
Public Perception and the Monarchy’s Modern Challenges
While the monarchy remains a central institution in the UK’s constitutional system, public opinion polls — including those conducted by YouGov — show varying levels of support for different members of the royal family. Senior working royals, such as King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Princess Royal, generally enjoy higher approval ratings, while others have more mixed public perception.
The ongoing interest in the Duke of York’s position within the family reflects broader discussions about how the monarchy should adapt in the 21st century. King Charles has previously expressed a desire for a “slimmed-down monarchy” focused on core working royals, a concept that has been widely reported by credible outlets such as the BBC.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s Public Roles
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, are private citizens who occasionally represent the Crown at specific events but do not undertake full-time royal duties.
- Princess Beatrice works in business and philanthropy, serving as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti, an artificial intelligence software company. She is also involved in charitable causes, including dyslexia awareness.
- Princess Eugenie is active in art and charity work, co-founding The Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017 to raise awareness of modern slavery and trafficking.
Both maintain personal lives outside the royal household while participating in occasional family events such as Trooping the Colour, royal weddings, and state occasions.
Buckingham Palace’s Approach to Public Commentary
Buckingham Palace traditionally refrains from commenting on personal or speculative media statements about members of the royal family. Official communications focus on confirmed engagements, statements on behalf of the monarch, and significant events affecting the institution.
There has been no official confirmation or announcement suggesting that King Charles has issued any formal changes to the roles, titles, or honors of the Duke of York’s family members beyond the measures already publicly confirmed in 2022.
The Role of Media in Shaping Royal Narratives
Coverage of the British royal family combines official reporting with commentary from historians, biographers, and royal correspondents. While expert opinions can offer insight into possible future developments, they remain distinct from confirmed palace policy.
Royal historian Professor Anna Whitelock has noted in interviews that the monarchy’s public image is shaped not only by official actions but also by media narratives, which can sometimes amplify speculation.
For members of the public seeking accurate information, official royal channels and reputable news outlets provide the most reliable accounts of events and decisions.
Looking Ahead
As summer continues, King Charles is expected to balance his private time at Balmoral with select public appearances. The royal family’s next major public events are likely to include autumn engagements in Scotland and England, as well as preparations for the annual Remembrance Sunday services in November.
The King’s steady schedule, even amid media discussion about extended family members, reflects the monarchy’s focus on continuity and stability.
Verified Sources:
- The Royal Family Official Website – Biography of King Charles III and official engagements
- BBC News – Coverage of the Duke of York’s public role changes
- RAF Lossiemouth – Ministry of Defence – Official information on the base and squadrons
- YouGov Royal Family Tracker – Public opinion data on the monarchy
- Crathie Kirk Official Site – History and royal association