The King and Queen are commemorating the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II with private prayers and a moment of reflection at Crathie Kirk church.

Charles and Camilla made the short journey by car from the nearby Balmoral Estate to the Scottish Church where monarchs have worshipped since Queen Victoria.

They were joined by the late Queen’s niece and nephew, Lady Sarah Chatto and the Earl of Snowdon.

Former dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland Iain Torrance was giving the sermon.

A small group of Balmoral estate workers, members of the public and pupils from Crathie Primary School had gathered close to the church.

Crowds also gathered outside Buckingham Palace in central London and Windsor Castle and left written messages and flowers outside and at the gates.

The event will be a deeply personal moment for the King, who became sovereign when his mother died peacefully on September 8 last year at Balmoral, aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

Other members of the Royal Family have also been paying tributes, including Prince and Princess of Wales, who will visit the Welsh cathedral of St Davids for a short private service on Friday, also paid tribute, saying: “We all miss you.”

The message written by William and Kate on X, formerly known as Twitter, read: “Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C.”

Princess Eugenie wrote on Instagram: “Thinking of you today. Missing you so much but remembering what a life of service, love and dedication to everyone and to your family, who loved you so very much. Forever grateful to you. And always in my heart.”

It was followed by two red heart emojis and an image of a smiling Eugenie sat next to the late Queen on what appears to be a bench outside a cabin on the Balmoral estate.

The King has also recorded a message and released a favourite photograph of his mother on the first anniversary of her death.

He recalled his mother with “great affection” and remembered her “devoted service” and “all she meant” to the country, and released a portrait of her taken by Cecil Beaton in 1968 when she was 42.

In it, she is standing side on to the camera, wearing her Garter robes and the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.

In a short statement written and recorded at Balmoral Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II died, her son said: “In marking the first anniversary of Her Late Majesty’s death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.

“I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”

Rishi Sunak has also paid tribute, noting her “sharp wit”.

With the “perspective of a year”, the prime minister said the “scale of Her Late Majesty’s service only seems greater”.

Remembering his meetings with her, he added: “I was struck by her wisdom, by her incredible warmth and grace, but also her sharp wit.”

Mr Sunak said that while the country should be proud of the late Queen’s “remarkable legacy of service”, he said a “remarkable bond” between the country and the monarchy “continues to grow today under the reign of His Majesty The King”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Queen Elizabeth “always enjoyed a special bond with her people”.

He added: “It was a relationship built from her understanding that service of this great nation is the thread that unites sovereign and subject.”

To mark Accession Day, soldiers and horses who took part in the state funeral procession and proclamation salutes signifying the new reign will return to perform anniversary gun salutes in the King’s honour.

Captain Amy Cooper – lead rider in the procession which carried the Queen’s coffin to lie in state in Westminster Hall – will give the order to fire a 41-gun salute at midday in London’s Hyde Park.

A 62-gun salute will also be fired at the Tower of London by The Honourable Artillery Company.

In commemoration of the King’s accession, bells will be rung at Westminster Abbey at 1pm.

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