Queen Camilla visits a refuge for victims of domestic abuse, while King Charles rests at Sandringham this week awaiting corrective prostate surgery
Queen Camilla today marked the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service with a visit to the charity's refuge.
Wearing an elegant camel coat against the winter chill, she met staff, volunteers, families and partner organisations, including Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council, to showcase their work.
It comes after King Charles missed yesterday's church service at the Sandringham estate, where he is staying, just days before his scheduled operation for an enlarged prostate.
The 75-year-old monarch is currently resting at the 20,000-acre Sandringham estate in Norfolk with Queen Camilla ahead of corrective surgery this week.
Queen Camilla today marked the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service with a visit to the charity's sanctuary
Camilla met with staff, volunteers, families and partner organisations, including Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council, to showcase their work
The queen prepared for the cold by wearing an elegant camel-colored coat, which she paired with a forest green sweater and a white blouse
Her Majesty left the women's shelter this morning with a colorful bouquet of flowers
Devotees gathered yesterday hoping to catch a glimpse of Charles walking to the 11am morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate.
But they discovered the gates to the paddock outside the church were locked, meaning they could not reach the cordoned off path where spectators are normally allowed to stand.
It comes after the Princess of Wales was said to be 'doing well' following her abdominal surgery at the London Clinic near Regent's Park this week.
She seemed cheerful as she walked around the grounds greeting guests
Devotees gathered today hoping to catch a glimpse of the King walking to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, only to find the gates to the paddock outside were locked
Charles was last pictured (above) at a service at church on Sunday, January 7, two weeks ago
Charles was expected to walk the quarter mile from Sandringham House to church, as he almost always does when he is at his private retreat home.
There was no sign of him as the bells rang and the service began in the 18th-century church, where members of the royal family traditionally worship during the winter break.
Housekeeper Maxine Sykes, 44, and her mother Victoria Martin, 67, are on holiday in Norfolk and had hoped to see the king.
Maxine, from St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said: 'We came to Sandringham to wander around and saw people waiting so we decided to investigate.
“We thought it would be nice to get a glimpse of the king, but unfortunately he didn't come out.”
Victoria, from Rye, East Sussex, added: 'It's a shame we didn't see him but it's understandable if he wants to keep his mouth shut before going to hospital.
'Maybe he also thought it best to keep a low profile because of all the interest in his daughter-in-law Kate being in hospital and the concern for her.'
Other onlookers said it was 'very unusual' to see the gates to the church yard locked so no one could get through.
His Majesty addresses the public prior to the Sunday church service in St. Mary Magdalene Church on January 7
The King appeared in good spirits after leaving the service and spoke to Simon and Georgina Ward and their sons William and Oliver
The 75-year-old monarch will undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate next week and is currently resting at the Sandringham estate (pictured January 7)
The Royal Family has been hit by a double health scare this week, with it also being announced that Kate Middleton was going under the knife for abdominal surgery (Princess of Wales pictured with Charles in 2022)
One person, who did not want to be named, said: 'It was never locked when the old queen was alive, and it's usually open when Charles is here.
'The last time he was in church was two weeks ago, before he went to Scotland, and people were able to walk up and see him.
“I was a little disappointed that he didn't come because I wanted to wish him the best of luck with his surgery.”
Buckingham Palace announced last Wednesday that Charles would undergo a corrective procedure next week after being diagnosed with a benign enlarged prostate.
He and Queen Camilla were at his Scottish home Birkhall when they received the shocking news, just after it was revealed the Princess of Wales was in hospital.
The couple were flown more than 300 miles on an RAF jet from Aberdeen Airport to RAF Marham on Friday before driving the final 15 miles to Sandringham.
Buckingham Palace shared the news of the king's procedure just 90 minutes after Kensington Palace said Kate had undergone abdominal surgery and would spend two weeks in hospital.
It is believed that the Princess of Wales will resume work in a reduced capacity once she is discharged from hospital. Nevertheless, the Welsh are said to be family-oriented
The Princess of Wales is reportedly doing well and will spend the next ten to fourteen days recovering in hospital
It has been revealed that Prince William will not try to change the status of the Church of England when he becomes king, despite being less religious than his father or grandmother
The king, who came to the throne 16 months ago and was crowned in Westminster Abbey last May, will be admitted to an undisclosed hospital next week.
Camilla revealed the King was doing 'fine' and 'looking forward to getting back to work' when she made a solo visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery last week.
She spoke about her husband's health as she opened the Gallery's new Safe Space, an initiative to provide help and guidance to people if they suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence.
Camilla was reported to appear cheerful and adopt the 'keep calm and carry on' approach often associated with the late queen.
The Princess of Wales was admitted to the private London Clinic hospital on Tuesday for a successful abdominal operation, which Kensington Palace said was planned.
She is said to be “doing well” but will remain at the exclusive clinic for 10 to 14 days and is not expected to resume official duties until after Easter.
Prince William spent time at her bedside during a quiet private visit on Thursday.
He stepped back from his official duties for several weeks to care for his wife and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Majesty magazine's Joe Little has said that Charles and Kate's health problems have exacerbated the problems facing the small group of working royals.
Mr Little said: 'The working members of the Royal Family are under pressure to maintain the level of involvement of a much larger team in recent years.
“The sudden removal of three of the senior players due to health issues significantly exacerbates the problem, but at least the King will only be out of action for a relatively short period.”
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment about King Charles' absence from church