King Charles III and Queen Consort pictured as they leave Balmoral and head back to London

King Charles III and wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, were photographed leaving Balmoral Castle to make the journey back to London.

The pair had rushed to Balmoral yesterday (8 September) when the late Queen's doctors announced they were concerned about her health. The King is due to meet with Prime Minister Liz Truss this afternoon to discuss matters including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, and will give a televised address this evening.

The King and Camilla were pictured in a car leaving Balmoral, and it is expected that they will travel to Aberdeen Airport to fly down to London. The pictures show Charles sat in the back, dressed in his mourning clothes of a black suit and tie, looking sombre, with Camilla in the front passenger seat.

READ MORE: The Queen died with Charles and Anne at her bedside as other senior royals rushed to Balmoral in vain

Camilla stared straight ahead as they were driven from the Scottish residence, where they had rushed to be at the Queen’s bedside when she fell gravely ill. Charles and the Queen's daughter Anne were able to be with the Queen when she passed away, while other Royals rushed to the Castle.

King Charles III leaves the Balmoral estate as they return to London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The couple stayed overnight at Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully aged 96 on Thursday afternoon. This morning King Charles gave the order that a period of “Royal Mourning” for the Queen will be observed from now until seven days after her funeral.

Royal Mourning will be observed by members of the royal family, royal household staff and representatives of the royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to ceremonial duties.

Royal salutes will be fired in London on Friday at 1pm in Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company, with one round being fired for each year of the Queen’s life.

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