King Charles has arrived back in the north-east and headed straight to Deeside, just a day after the funeral of his mother Queen Elizabeth.
The King, accompanied by the Queen Consort Camilla, left RAF Northolt in London at 10.30am on Tuesday.
They arrived at Aberdeen Airport just after noon, and have made their way to Balmoral.
The couple drove through Ballater, the village closest to Balmoral, shortly after 1.30pm. It is understood the King will spend a few days at Balmoral to grieve.
Balmoral visitors overwhelmed by tributes
While the couple made their way to Birkhall Cottage, on the other side of the gates, people were still coming to lay tributes to the Queen.
The flowers, thoughtful notes and even balloons were still piling up in the sunshine outside the iconic gates.
People visiting were taking time to appreciate the floral tributes and children’s drawings left displayed. Although the atmosphere appeared lighter than before, the visit overwhelmed some of those paying tribute.
Wiping away a few tears, Allison Blackman, said it was only when seeing the tributes left that the Queen’s death really hit her.
“It was quite emotional actually,” the 52-year-old said. “It didn’t get me until I started to reading all the notes. It’s very sombre.
“I’m glad I’ve come to see it. To me it’s real now, because when you’re watching it on the TV, you think she’s still alive, but when I see all this, it just gets you. It’s beautiful, a stunning place.”
Visiting with her husband Mark from London, they said they were both shocked when they heard the Queen had died.
The couple wondered if the “stress and strain” of grieving so publicly and then taking on the role as king would be too much for King Charles.
Mr Blackman said: “It’s just one of those things where you think she’s going to go on forever.
“The Queen did all that time and she never put a foot out of line. It’s going to be very strange having a King after 70 years of the Queen.”
‘Hope the King gets time to grieve and rest’
Vince Donaldson and Vicky Ligertwood, from Hatton of Fintray, near Inverurie, were away on holiday when the Queen died and had not had a chance to lay flowers until now.
Ms Ligertwood said: “The Queen loved Scotland and Scotland obviously loved her.”
Although they had not met the Queen, they described meeting Prince Edward “who made time for everybody” after their son was awarded his gold Duke of Edinburgh award.
“The Royal Family were good at making you feel included almost,” Ms Ligertwood added. “Everyone must have felt included in the funeral as well. But I think Scotland has done her proud, as she did us.”
After hearing the King was again at Balmoral, she added: “I hope the King gets time to grieve and rest. It must be so hard for the whole Royal Family.”
Yesterday, King Charles and members of the royal family held a state funeral in London – before a private interment yesterday evening.
About a million people were in London for the event, with an estimated four billion watching around the world.
Lots of local events were also held to bring people together, with legions in Inverness, Stonehaven and Oldmeldrum opening their doors. Cinemas, including the Arc in Peterhead and Vue in Aberdeen, also held screenings.
Laughs over marmalade sandwiches
Lorna Hector and Helen Lawrence from just outside of Ellon said they also hoped King Charles managed to rest up and sympathised with how much walking he had to do for the funeral procession.
Travelling with their “menfolk” to lay flowers for the Queen, Mrs Hector, 81, said it was a sad occasion, but added: “She got a lovely day and she got everything done that she wanted to get done.”
Laughing over the marmalade sandwich left for the Queen and talking about the sweet messages from children, Mrs Lawrence, 80, said: “It was great hearing the bagpipes (at the funeral), I think she would have liked it.
“Just taking it all in, it’s just beyond belief. It will be a while before we just get used to it. Now the Royal Family get a week to themselves to just rest.”
Earlier today, the Royal Family also issued a previously unseen photograph of the Queen at Balmoral.
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