The King and Queen have made their first public appearance since the monarch confirmed he is "ready to support" a police investigation into his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Charles and Camilla arrived at the Garrison Chapel in central London to celebrate Turquoise Mountain's 20th anniversary on Wednesday morning, with the King waving to cameras he went up the steps.
They were greeted by the charity’s President, Shoshana Stewart, and her husband, Founding Director Rory Stewart, who established Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan in 2006 at the request of the then Prince of Wales.
It is the King and Queen's first public outing since Buckingham Palace issued a statement on Monday night. A spokesman for the monarch said he had expressed his "profound concern" over the onslaught of new revelations about his younger brother Andrew, the former Duke of York, which have emerged from the Epstein files.
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© Anadolu via Getty ImagesWearing a navy suit, the King waved as he arrived at the Garrison Chapel in central London, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla.
Their Majesties toured the "Craftsmanship and Community: 20 Years of Turquoise Mountain" exhibition, which opens to the public on 12 February, before meeting groups of artisans and viewing a collection of works on display.
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© Anadolu via Getty ImagesQueen Camilla, 78, supported her husband today, dressed in a smart, belted red coat.
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© Anadolu via Getty ImagesTheir Majesties greeted Rory Stewart, who established Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan in 2006 at the request of the then Prince of Wales.
Since its launch 20 years ago, Turquoise Mountain has connected artisans to international markets, trained and employed over 11,500 artisans, restored more than 170 historic buildings, provided primary healthcare to over 250,000 patients, and delivered education and cultural heritage programmes to over 4,500 children. Today, the organisation works in Afghanistan, Jordan, Myanmar, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, where Prince William is currently visiting.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe King, 77, shook hands with Rory Stewart on the steps outside the chapel.
Stewart, a broadcaster and writer, is also known for his podcast, The Rest is Politics, with Alastair Campbell.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe Queen also embraced Stewart, before heading inside to view the exhibition.
King Charles's statement
The statement from Buckingham Palace on Monday night read: "The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.
"While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect. As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse."
Thames Valley Police has confirmed it is assessing claims that Andrew shared secret reports from his UK trade envoy role with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His comments came hours after a spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Wales shared how they too had been "deeply concerned" by the "continued revelations" and expressed sympathy with those impacted by Epstein’s crimes, saying their "thoughts remain focused on the victims". The statement was issued in advance of William's trip to Saudi Arabia, though he was still met with a question about his disgraced uncle while meeting young girls from youth football squads in Riyadh.
The journalist shouted across the pitch: "Sir, to what extent do you think the royal family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein scandal?"
In October, Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and privileges, while his brother was also exiled from Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he had lived since 2004.
The latest allegations from the so-called "Epstein files" released by US authorities include claims that the financier sent a second woman to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew. Epstein allegedly asked the former Duke and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, to give his friends a VIP tour of Buckingham Palace. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
