KING CHARLES PICTURED LEAVING SUNDAY SERVICE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

King Charles's spirits remained high as he was spotted beaming after attending church this morning.

The monarch, 75, is reported to be on the brink of a row with his brother Prince Andrew over the state of the crumbling Royal Lodge, where the Duke of York lives - but as Charles chatted away to the vicar at a church in Gloucestershire this morning, there was no sign of any concern.

Charles's trip to church has followed a busy week which marked his return to public engagements since he was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.

Earlier this week, he and Queen Camilla, 76, visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital in London where he met with staff treating and offering support to cancer patients.

The King also attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in jubilant scenes as he hugged his niece Zara Tindall, with whom he is incredibly close.

Today, as ever, the King attended Sunday Service at a church in Gloucestershire.

He looked sharp in a grey suit and a navy tie with red stripes - although some royal fans may be disappointed not to see his playful T-rex tie, which he donned on his visit this week.

The accessory, thought to have been gifted to him by grandson Prince Louis, six, caused quite the stir among royal fans (and dinosaur fans alike) on Tuesday.

It is made of a pale pink material and features printed images of small blue T-rex creatures across it.

The King was first spotted in the tie in back January 2023, when he visited Norbrook Community Centre and Bolton Town Hall to mark 100 years of Kelloggs, both in Greater Manchester. 

He again sported the look to attend a church service near the Sandringham estate in January of this year.

The tie is also perhaps a nod to an inside joke shared with his beloved family, as Charles uses the initial R after his name to signify 'Rex' - which is Latin for 'King'. 

As the monarch returned to public-facing duties this week, it has been said he had been eager to return to such work for a long time.

And he enjoyed some down time as well this week, as he was spotted at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday.

Meanwhile, photos of the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, currently the home of Prince Andrew, which appears to be crumbling, has threatened to reignite a row between King Charles and his brother over the repair of the building.

Claims emerged last year that Andrew, 64, could not meet the £400,000-a-year upkeep of Royal Lodge, which has 30-rooms and is thought to be worth £30million.

It was reported that the Duke of York, who has no apparent source of income and was forced to quit royal duties over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was told he would have to leave the property.

He was granted 'a stay of execution', it was reported in October, after he did a deal with the King to carry out the repair works on the 19th century, Grade II-listed property.

But the state of the mansion's exterior has since been exposed, with pictures which are said to show that it is still in need of some work potentially sparking a new row.

The Mirror published a picture which shows how part of the property requires a fresh lick of paint, and reports that what seem to be worsening cracks are visible in the brickwork.

The paper cited a source who said: 'The Duke of York has a clear responsibility for the upkeep of the Royal Lodge estate, which is certainly not happening.

'The state of the residence will be of great concern to the King after everything that has gone on and been discussed in regards to the house.

'Prince Andrew was told he must take charge of the necessary renovations or he will have no cause to stay in the house.'

Read more

2024-05-05T15:59:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd