A merry monarch! King Charles appears in high spirits as he greets well-wishers on his way to church service in Sandringham

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  • The King looked smart as he attended the Sunday service in Sandringham today
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King Charles appeared to put on another frustrated appearance as he left a church service in Sandringham on Sunday. 

The monarch, 75, has been seen in a series of ‘cranky’ displays as of late – including snapping at an aide on a trip to Jersey with Queen Camilla, and growing cross at a page boy at the State opening of Parliament. 

As he left St Mary Magdalene Church, Charles was spotted speaking to his companions – thought to be aides – and seemed slightly disgruntled as he did so. 

The King seemed to be tense and made several short-tempered hand gestures as he paused before making his way to the awaiting crowds, although the cause of the conversation is unclear. 

After looking around, he appeared to be venting his frustrations to those he was with before walking on. 

King Charles appeared to grow frustrated once more on Sunday after leaving a church service at Sandringham

King Charles appeared to grow frustrated once more on Sunday after leaving a church service at Sandringham

However, he appeared to be back to his normal cheery self just moments later to greet members of the public

However, he appeared to be back to his normal cheery self just moments later to greet members of the public

But just moments later Charles was back to his usual self, greeting well-wishers with his typical good cheer and humour. 

The King – who is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis – wore a grey suit, purple tie and brown shoes. 

Charles, who was not joined by Camilla, briefly spoke with members of the public on the way to the church before being greeted by the Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams. 

The size of the crowd had swelled to more than 100 people by the time the King walked back to Sandringham House after the service, and he took time to speak with many of them.

Members of the public were invited into the paddock near the church – as they are on Christmas Day – on the warm July day.

Many were thrilled to be in the presence of royalty, and commented that Charles was ‘lovely’ when he spoke to them and said he was ‘looking a lot better’. 

The King took time to chat with air cadets and members of the public as he walked to church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Sunday.

The sun shone as he made the short journey, of a few minutes on foot, from Sandringham House to the church.

King Charles III speaks to well wishers as he leaves after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

King Charles III speaks to well wishers as he leaves after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Charles's body language seemed slightly tense after he departed the service and spoke to his companions

Charles’s body language seemed slightly tense after he departed the service and spoke to his companions

The King, 74, couldn't help venting his frustrations to those he was with
The cause of his frustrations is unclear

The King, 74, couldn’t help venting his frustrations to those he was with – although the cause of the conversation is unclear

Something seems to have upset the King once again - who has been known for a few irritable outbursts in the past

Something seems to have upset the King once again – who has been known for a few irritable outbursts in the past

Joanne Barker, from the village of Pleasley near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, spoke with Charles.

The 57-year-old mobile hairdresser said: ‘I think he looks a lot better. I admire him so much.

‘Even just to talk to people, he’s amazing, but I think he looked a lot better than he has done.

‘He was walking quite well. I think he seemed in good spirits, he was lovely and he had a laugh with us.’

She said they spoke about the crooked spire in Chesterfield and she asked him if he knew the folklore of it.

‘He said ‘no’, so we told him the devil came over as they were building it and sort of tipped it,’ she said.

‘He laughed and said ‘I like that, I like that very much, I prefer that than the twisted oak story’.’

After the service, Charles walked down the steps from the church and took time to speak with Flt Lt Pauline Petch and a line-up of air cadets from 42F Squadron.

King Charles III attends a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk

King Charles III attends a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk

King Charles III attends a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church
Charles strolled besides Reverend Canon Paul Williams, of the parish, as they made their way for the morning service

Charles strolled besides Reverend Canon Paul Williams, of the parish, as they made their way for the morning service

Britain's King Charles leaves Sunday Service and greets cadets

Britain’s King Charles leaves Sunday Service and greets cadets

Ms Petch has overseen the local RAF cadets for the last 20 years and is retiring next week with the Sandringham Flower Show as her last duty.

Ms Petch, of Middleton near King’s Lynn, said she sent the King a card from the Squadron when news emerged that he was ill.

In it, she wished him well and said ‘I hope I’ll see you at the flower show which will be my 20th year in command and probably my last engagement’.

The former teacher, 66, said she was later told that the King was not coming to the flower show this year, but that she was invited with a group of cadets to the church gate on Sunday.

Ms Petch said it meant ‘a lot’ to have been invited, adding: ‘It’s an honour to be down here.’ She said the King thanked her for what she had done.

‘He spoke to each of the cadets so well and asked them so many different things about their schooling and about what they get from cadets,’ she said.

‘He’s so interested and always has been.’

FEMAIL has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.  

Britain's King Charles leaves Sunday Service and shakes hands with a cadet next to retiring Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch

Britain’s King Charles leaves Sunday Service and shakes hands with a cadet next to retiring Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch

Reverend Canon Paul Williams speaks with King Charles III as he leaves after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church

Reverend Canon Paul Williams speaks with King Charles III as he leaves after attending a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church

Charles had seemed in good spirits as he left the church service - but soon appeared to demonstrate his short fuse

Charles had seemed in good spirits as he left the church service – but soon appeared to demonstrate his short fuse

Charles set tongues wagging earlier this month among royal fans during his visit to the Channel Islands this week after he appeared to lose his temper – but it’s not the first time one of the monarch’s snappier moments has been caught on camera. 

It’s just one of many of the royal’s ‘spicy’ moments over the years – including his notorious comments about BBC Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell in 2005 when he called the journalist an ‘awful man’ under his breath during a press conference and photo opportunity on the ski slopes at Klosters.

In 2022, Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen while signing the visitors book at Hillsborough Castle – telling courtiers he ‘can’t bear this bloody thing’.

Just a few days earlier, the King furiously motioned for an aide to move an ink pot as he signed documents when he was proclaimed the new King.

Meanwhile, last year a frustrated King Charles moaned ‘we can never be on time’ as he waited in coach outside Westminster Abbey ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed.

The outing comes after Buckingham Palace said it wants to ‘stay curious’ and ‘help shape a better world’ as part of King Charles’ reign in a set of newly published ‘royal values’.

The King appeared in high spirits as he paused to chat to members of the public as he walked to church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on Sunday

The King appeared in high spirits as he paused to chat to members of the public as he walked to church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on Sunday

Several dozen well-wishers turned out to see Charles, 75, as he strolled to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church

Several dozen well-wishers turned out to see Charles, 75, as he strolled to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church

Members of the public were invited into the paddock near the church - as they are on Christmas Day - on the warm July day

Members of the public were invited into the paddock near the church – as they are on Christmas Day – on the warm July day

The King - who is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis - wore a grey suit, purple tie and brown shoes

The King – who is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis – wore a grey suit, purple tie and brown shoes

The move has been made public in the Royal Household’s annual report as His Majesty continues his push for a slimmed-down monarchy and put his stamp on the institution.

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In the document it states that the first couple of years of Charles’ reign have allowed them to take stock and ‘define a new expression of purpose underpinned by a refreshed set of values’.

It states that these are: ‘Act with Care’; ‘Make an Impact’; ‘Succeed Together’; ‘Stay Curious’; and ‘Lead by Example’. 

The report adds that the duty of the Royal Household is to ‘support the sovereign in serving the UK and Commonwealth to help shape a better world’.

In its latest report the Royal Household has pledged to have a ‘strong emphasis on value for money’, The Telegraph reports.

However, at the same time it has removed a section which promised ‘accountability’ in how it uses public funds and resources. 

The sun shone as he made the short journey, of a few minutes on foot, from Sandringham House to the church

The sun shone as he made the short journey, of a few minutes on foot, from Sandringham House to the church

Charles, who was not joined by Queen Camilla, briefly spoke with members of the public before being greeted by the Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams

Charles, who was not joined by Queen Camilla, briefly spoke with members of the public before being greeted by the Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams

Charles spoke with well wishers after attending the Sunday church service in Sandringham

Charles spoke with well wishers after attending the Sunday church service in Sandringham

The King was keen to shake hands with those who had waited to meet him after the service

The King was keen to shake hands with those who had waited to meet him after the service

The King is still receiving treatment after his diagnosis from cancer but has returned to public engagements

The King is still receiving treatment after his diagnosis from cancer but has returned to public engagements

The sun was shining for the King's brief walk back after attending the church service

The sun was shining for the King’s brief walk back after attending the church service 

It has also deleted a line which said ‘different generations of the Royal Family’ would take part in events to make the monarchy ‘relevant and accessible to people at every stage of life’.

This is in keeping with the ethos Charles has tried to instil since he ascended to the throne, with His Majesty keen to give Britain a slimmed-down monarchy.

Since then the number of working royals has reduced, with fewer appearing at state events.

This was evident at Trooping the Colour in June, when Charles was joined on the balcony of Buckingham Palace by a small set of key working royals and close family members.

While the three Wales children were present, there was no room for his nieces Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, or his nephew Peter Phillips. The Sussexes and his brother Prince Andrew were also nowhere to be seen.