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The congregation heard a service centred on kindness and on supporting society's most vulnerable members

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was accompanied by his wife, Marie-France van Heel, as they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at a church service in the Scottish Highlands on Sunday.

The couple attended Crathie Kirk, a modest granite church situated on Royal Deeside close to the Balmoral estate, where the royal family regularly worship during their stays.

Mr Burnham had met with the royals the previous day at Balmoral.

The small church holds a long-standing connection with prime ministerial visits, with both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer having previously joined the royals for services there.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was known as a devoted and frequent worshipper at Crathie Kirk throughout her reign, and members of the public are also welcome to attend.

Gillian Garner, who travelled from Cheshire with her family to attend the service, spoke of the profound impact it had on her.

"It was truly amazing to stand in the church with the King and the Queen, the Prime Minister and his wife. It was a moving, wonderful service," she told the Press Association.

Her husband Michael noted that the family had not anticipated the Prime Minister's presence at the event.

"There are no words to describe it," Ms Garner told PA. "It was very moving."

The congregation heard a service centred on kindness and on supporting society's most vulnerable members.

According to the Garner family, who had first visited Crathie Kirk during the late Queen's reign after being told by a local police officer that the public were welcome, Mr Burnham was thanked for his attendance.

The Chandler family, who had travelled from Carlisle, expressed their delight at encountering the royals amid the Scottish Highland scenery, having also been present at the Braemar Gathering.

"It's always nice to see the royals," they said. "It's quite special."

The previous day, King Charles and Queen Camilla had drawn thousands of spectators to the famous Highland Games event in Braemar.

Sunshine broke through the clouds as visitors descended on the gathering, held in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, a location with deep royal associations.

The atmosphere in the rural setting was vibrant as crowds filled the area for the annual celebration of Highland tradition.

Charles and Camilla departed the Games at approximately 4pm before returning to Balmoral.