King Charles III retreats to Scotland to grieve privately after queen's funeral

The royal family will observe an extra week of mourning

King Charles arrived in Scotland on Tuesday, a day after his mother's state funeral. AP

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arrived in Scotland on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple touched down at Aberdeen Airport on a private jet after earlier being pictured at RAF Northolt in West London.

The monarch, 73, and his wife, 75, are understood to be seeking some time away from the spotlight to grieve privately.

While the national period of mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II officially ended on Monday, the royal family will observe an extra week.

The king was by his mother’s side when she passed away peacefully at Balmoral on September 8. He had rushed to her castle in Scotland that morning after doctors became concerned for her health and placed her under medical supervision.

All eyes were on Britain’s new sovereign on Monday when he led his extended family in paying their final respects to the queen at her state funeral.

About 100 presidents and heads of governments were among the 2,000 congregation at Westminster Abbey in London. US President Joe Biden and his wife first lady Jill Biden, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, were among the notable figures seated in the church.

Members of the public lined the route from the church to Wellington Arch to watch the procession of the coffin.

Tens of thousands of people packed on to The Mall to watch the royals follow the queen's coffin before passing in front of a guard of honour of royal staff outside Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral — in pictures

The remains of Britain's longest-reigning sovereign were later transferred to Windsor Castle for a committal service. The simple ceremony at St George’s Chapel contrasted with the earlier large-scale funeral.

The queen was laid to rest with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, during a private evening burial service in Windsor attended just by close family.

Birkhall, the king’s Scottish retreat, is located on the Balmoral estate. The queen was known to love her home in Scotland where she enjoyed a summer holiday each year.

The day after her death, the queen’s eldest son decreed that the family would observe a period of mourning for seven days after the funeral. They are not expected to carry out official engagements, and flags at royal residencies will remain at half-mast until 8am after the final day of royal mourning.

The king looked shaken and emotional, and at times close to tears, at his mother’s funeral.

Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex was seen weeping during the long day, as was Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

But King Charles and his family have been consoled by the support and love they have received from the public since the palace announced the death of the queen.

No date has been fixed for the king's coronation but it is expected that, in line with royal precedent and due to the large amount of planning involved, there will be at least several months between the funeral and the crowning of the new monarch.