King Charles stepped out solo in Sandringham this morning to attend the Sunday morning service at St. Mary Magdalene church just days before a major royal event takes place next week.

The King was seen without his wife, Queen Camilla, for the second week in a row, after she missed last week's service amid her recovery from an illness.

Camilla had to postpone a series of royal engagements last month due to a chest infection but her recovery has been steady as she eased herself back into royal life.

Charles was pictured holding an umbrella as he braved the rain in Sandringham this morning.

He was also seen being greeted outside the church by Reverend Canon Dr Paul Williams.

It comes as the royals prepare for the state visit of The Amir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.

The Qatari royals are expected to land in Britain tomorrow and begin their visit on Tuesday, with Princess Kate set to play a major role for the Firm.

The Princess of Wales will join Prince William on Tuesday to greet the royal visitors in London, on behalf of King Charles.

They will then travel with them to Horse Guards Parade, where The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will receive a Ceremonial Welcome before being formally welcomed by the King and Queen at the Royal Pavilion.

Kate will then join her husband, the King and Queen, as well as the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second Guard of Honour formed of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Irish Guards, who will play the Qatari and British National Anthems.

The last time the Waleses held this important role was for the state visit of the South Korean President last November, as Kate was unable to attend the more recent state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan due to her cancer treatment.

On Tuesday night a glittering state banquet is set to be held at Buckingham Palace hosted by the King and Queen.

While Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate, who completed her cancer treatment at the end of the summer, will attend some elements of next week’s state visit, she will not attend the state banquet on Tuesday evening.