The newly-minted Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, 40, looked somber as she drove through Windsor, England on Friday, emerging for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death. The royal looked sultry in sunglasses and a black turtleneck, paired with pearl earrings. Kate did not join her husband Prince William on the trip north to Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday, where the Queen has been on summer vacation since July. After announcing that her doctors were “concerned” about her health, Buckingham Palace said in a simple statement that the 96-year-old monarch died “peacefully” at her beloved Balmoral on Thursday afternoon local time. While William was joined by Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, they rushed to Her Majesty’s bedside, where they met Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Princess Anne and later Prince Harry in the castle. Kate probably stayed behind for their children’s first day of school. RELATED: King Charles and Queen Camilla return to London after Queen Elizabeth’s death at Balmoral Kate Middleton James Whatling/MEGA The start of term is particularly important for Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4, this year as the young royals enroll as pupils for the first time at Lambrook School. For more on Kate Middleton, listen to our PEOPLE Every Day podcast below. Luckily, Kate and the Queen spent some quality time together a few weeks ago when she and William visited Balmoral with their children, a much-loved summer tradition. As planned, King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, returned to London on Friday, where they were greeted with cheers and chants of “God Save the King”. King Charles III, left, and Camilla, the queen’s consort, walk past floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday in London, Yui Mok/AP/Shutterstock September 9, 2022: King Charles and Queen Camilla outside Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth’s death RELATED: Why Kate Middleton Didn’t Travel to See Queen Elizabeth in Scotland With Other Royals Their arrival was sensational as it marked their first time in the capital as monarch and husband and wife. In other firsts on Friday, Charles will host an audience with newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss and deliver his inaugural televised address as monarch. On Saturday morning, he will be officially crowned King by the Council of Accession — and in a historic twist, the ceremony will be televised for the first time.
