Queen Camilla makes surprise change to her plans with King Charles during summer holiday



Queen Camilla departs, in a horse-drawn carriage, after visiting the first RHS Sandringham Flower Show© Getty Images
Eleanor Dye
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
32 minutes ago
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The Queen is set to complete a solo engagement as she takes a brief break from her summer holiday with King Charles next week.  

Camilla, 79, who is the patron of York Racecourse, will attend the first day of the Ebor Festival on Wednesday, 19 August, according to the royal diary.

She is expected to meet "unsung heroes" at the racecourse, including St John's Ambulance volunteers and jockey Joe Fanning, as well as representatives from local charities.  

She will present the trophy to the winning owner of the feature race, the Juddmonte International Stakes, the new engagement revealed. 

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show© Getty Images
King Charles and Queen Camilla have separate plans next week

King Charles, meanwhile, is expected to remain in Scotland. The monarch, 77, has been staying in the Castle of Mey, but will soon be making his way to Balmoral Castle for the rest of the summer. 

Balmoral Castle prepares for King Charles's arrival

The King is expected to head to Balmoral any day now, and preparations for his arrival are well underway.

The Castle doors have now closed to members of the public, the residence announced on Monday, though the gift shop and cafe will remain open during certain hours.

The grounds are expected to reopen for autumn from early October.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their children, Prince Andrew (centre), Princess Anne (left) and Charles, Prince of Wales sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle © Bettmann Archive
The royal family retreat to Balmoral each year

Balmoral has been a beloved residence for the royal family for generations, and it's where the late Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days. 

Prince Albert first purchased the estate, which is nestled within the Cairngorms National Park, for Queen Victoria in 1852. 

It now serves as a private sanctuary for the royals to spend their summer in the Scottish Highlands each year.    

King Charles and Queen Camilla's summer holiday

It was confirmed at the start of August that the King had left England and would slowly be making his way to Balmoral. 

He began with a trip to the Mey Highland Games, where he got into the spirit by enjoying a dram of whisky. He also visited Caithness in the Scottish Highlands. 

King Charles III in traditional Highland dress meets competitors at the 2026 Mey Highland Games at John O'Groats Showground on August 01, 2026 in John O'Groats, Scotland. © Getty Images
King Charles has begun his visit to Scotland

The King was most recently seen in public in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands last Friday, meeting locals while wearing a traditional Scottish kilt. 

Every year, the King and Queen retreat to the 50,000-acre estate Balmoral in Aberdeenshire. Typically, other members of the royal family will come to visit, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. 

The King and Queen usually stay at Birkhall, an 18th-century home in the grounds, so that the main castle can be used for larger family gatherings.

The Prime Minister also tends to visit the monarch for a weekend retreat in the late summer, meaning Andy Burnham may stay there for the first time in his new role.

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