King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Scotland for an extended holiday break, but they are already planning for an incredibly busy year. Sources in Scotland say the royals are in residence at Birkhall House on the Balmoral Estate for a break before they resume official duties later this month.
The king, who will return to London for weekly cancer treatment, is said to be “greatly looking forward to” resuming a busy diary once he has enjoyed the New Year break at Birkhall. His doctors are said to be delighted at the progress he has made and what he is capable of doing. Queen Camilla, who suffered from a serious case of pneumonia before Christmas, is said to be much better.
“The king will be very engaged, he is very much looking forward to a year of anniversaries and special occasions,” a royal source tells Vanity Fair. “Of course the king’s health is factored into every plan being made, but the side effects of his treatment have been manageable and he is determined to continue working at pace. He has so much he wants to achieve this year.”
The couple traveled to Scotland following the family Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. While Queen Elizabeth II traditionally stayed at Sandringham until February, King Charles has established a new tradition by heading to Aberdeenshire. While he is officially on vacation, he is continuing his desk work and reading his state papers and preparing for his official return to work later this month.
“This is their traditional New Year break. The diary program is locked and loaded until the end of the summer and it’s shaping up to be a very busy year,” adds the source. “Their Royal Highnesses will remain principally based in Scotland for the majority of this month, then head to Sandringham for February when their official program picks up with gusto.”
2025 will see the royal couple host a state visit to the UK and carry out at least two overseas tours, one of which will reportedly take place in Italy in the Spring. Vanity Fair can reveal there is a possibility King Charles will travel to Brazil to attend the UN’s annual climate change conference, COP30, in November. He was unable to attend the 2024’s climate change conference in Azerbaijan, but he is said to be keen to attend this year’s conference, COP30, which runs from November 10 to 21 in Belém, Brazil.
