With the Princess of Wales present, today’s appearance in Sunningdale has shifted from being a solo engagement for the Prince of Wales to one carried out jointly. The event itself is expected to remain small in scale, without additional public programming.
Anniversaries of this kind are generally observed without major ceremony. While some members of the Royal Family choose to appear at scheduled events, others recognise the date privately.
The third anniversary of the Queen’s passing also highlights the passage of time since the beginning of King Charles’ reign. As in previous years, the activities surrounding the anniversary have been limited. The service at Crathie Kirk and the engagement in Sunningdale represent two separate forms of acknowledgement, one through church attendance in Scotland and the other through a joint public appearance in England. Both underline the low-profile way in which the date is being marked.