The Princess of Wales betrayed no signs of upset or anger at the prospect of her estranged brother-in-law’s return to the UK when she broke cover at Balmoral yesterday.

Instead, a sun-kissed Kate, 44, was all smiles as she was photographed on her way to Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire, days after news broke that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving back to Britain after six years in the United States.

She sported a beautiful tan after presumably soaking up the sunshine during her family holiday with Prince William, 44, and their three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.

The Waleses, who joined the King and Queen at Balmoral last week, took a break from royal duties for the summer after they attended the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at the beginning of the month.

Kate’s bronde hair, which she first debuted one year ago at Balmoral, also looked lighter yesterday, which may be the result of spending more time in the sun than usual.

While most of the future Queen’s outfit was hidden from view as she was pictured riding in a Range Rover driven by the Prince of Wales, it appeared she was embracing autumnal fashion in a grey Ralph Lauren blazer.

She paired it with a ruffled white blouse with a pie-crust collar detail from Holland & Cooper that retails for £149 and finished the vintage-inspired look with a brown pillbox hat from Lock & Co Hatters as well as chandelier earrings from Ralph Lauren.

Kate accentuated her eyes with black winged eyeliner, chose a peachy blush to complement her bronzed look and added a swipe of soft pink lip gloss to tie everything together.

A sun-kissed Kate, 44, was all smiles as she was photographed on her way to Crathie Kirk days after news broke that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving back to Britain after six years in the United States

She sported a beautiful tan after presumably soaking up the sunshine during her family holiday with Prince William, 44, and their three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight

William and Kate were among several royals attending the service at the small Crathie Kirk parish church after a family ‘summit’ at the Scottish retreat.

They were joined by their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, as photos showed the future heir sitting behind Kate in their car.

Also attending were King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

It emerged last Wednesday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be moving back after six years in the US as their children prepare to start life at new schools in the UK.

Charles arrived at the royals’ Scottish summer retreat of Balmoral on Tuesday, and the Prince and Princess of Wales have since been pictured at the estate, as well as the Princess Royal and her brother, the Duke of Edinburgh.

William and Kate have not reacted publicly to the news of Harry and Meghan’s return, with the future king estranged from his younger brother following a barrage of accusations Harry levelled against him, Kate, Charles and Camilla when he stepped back from royal duties.

It has been reported the Royal Family were holding a ‘summit’ over the return of the Sussexes, although officials have stressed the gathering was in keeping with a longstanding annual tradition of extended family members staying at Balmoral during the summer.

A source close to the Sussexes revealed last week that Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, have been enrolled at British schools and will start classes in September.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, with son Prince George, heading to a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk parish church near the royal Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire