Tired and grieving King Charles has headed to the Royal's Scottish retreat Balmoral to "recuperate" after finding the past 11 days difficult, a source has said.
Apart from a day off last Thursday, in which he retreated to his Highgrove home, the monarch has had plenty of public engagements in the lead up to the late Queen's funeral in his first 11 days on the throne.
This included flying to Hillsborough Castle in County Down to address the Northern Ireland Assembly.
But now the 73-year-old has escaped to the royal estate in the Scottish Highlands - a favoured spot of his mother's who holidayed there each summer.
Sources close to the new King say the King's packed schedule has been tiring for him and he has found the past 11 days difficult.
He is said to still be grieving and feeling tired and it is hoped this trip will allow him the time he needs to prepare for what lies ahead.
This period of private mourning will last until Monday next week before Charles begins his first major engagements in the new job.
The monarch has already begun receiving red boxes, which are used by government ministers to carry confidential documents.
He was said to have started reviewing them during his day off in Gloucestershire last week and will continue to do so in Balmoral.
Every day of the year, except Christmas Day, he will receive from Government ministers - and from representatives in Commonwealth and foreign countries - information in the form of policy papers, cabinet documents and Foreign Office telegrams.
The correspondence also includes a daily summary of events in Parliament, letters and other state papers.
A source told the Sun : “Balmoral is a place where the King can see his family and at the same time read his red government boxes.
“It is a place where he can recuperate and get on with state business. This is exactly what the Queen Consort said Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II liked to do when she gave her tribute.”
It comes amid reports Charles' coronation will likely take place in late spring or early summer 2023.
A date in May or June has been pencilled in at Westminster Abbey, it has been claimed.
June marks 70 years since the Elizabeth II's coronation.
She was formally crowned on June 2, 1953.
A source said there is "no rush" and the date will depend on what is going on in the world at the time.
After the private burial service for his mum on Monday evening, Charles stayed overnight at Windsor Castle before flying to Scotland the following day.
