King Charles appeared in high spirits as he arrived at the Royal Albert Hall for the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, even though his wife was told to miss the event by her doctors.
Wearing a suit and over a dozen military medals and decorations, the King laughed as he chatted with guests at the Kensington venue.
He entered the famous concert hall to royal fanfare by state trumpeters of the household division and rapturous applause from the crowd.
Taking a seat next to his sister, Charles smiled and spoke to Anne before joining the audience to clap for the Chelsea Pensioners as they made their entrance at the Festival of Remembrance. The Royal Family then stood to applaud Second World War veterans.
But the Queen was absent from the Festival and will also miss the Cenotaph ceremony as she recovers from a chest infection.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the crowd at the Royal Albert Hall applauding, as the Boys of the Old Brigade was performed by a band.
A Palace spokesperson said: “Following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend’s Remembrance events.
“While this is a source of great disappointment to the Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week.”
It is understood there is no cause for alarm and no downturn in Camilla’s condition.
Her doctors have erred on the side of caution in case a return to public duty this weekend – involving standing outside for a prolonged period in unpredictable weather – would set back a full recovery.