King Charles admits his ‘heart goes out’ to ‘struggling’ British farmers as he acknowledges ‘challenging’ period

Queen Camilla represented the Royal Family at the service, arriving at the historic church adorned with seasonal decorations of flowers and fresh produce.

The Westminster Abbey gathering marked a traditional harvest thanksgiving, which recognised the agricultural communities' essential contributions.

While not present, the King issued a written message to the attendees and Britain’s farmers, which featured as part of the order of service.

"It is a time of year to give thanks to the custodians of our land in a tradition that stretches back centuries, yet remains ever relevant," Charles began.

"Their labour is the foundation of our food production, the heartbeat of rural communities and vital to the protection of the natural landscapes we all treasure so dearly," he celebrated.

The message then addressed the fortitude of farmers in light of the challenges currently facing their community.

"The particular resolve and resilience they have demonstrated through the challenges of our changing climate in recent years deserve our utmost admiration and gratitude, particularly in a year in which the weather has made growing anything so very difficult," the King said.

"Our hearts go out to those who are struggling especially, as winter approaches, those with livestock," he concluded.

Elsewhere at the ceremony, actor Charles Dance delivered a reading alongside television presenter Matt Baker.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage also shared his composition written for the event, titled Bread Of Heaven.

Following the formal proceedings, Queen Camilla engaged with representatives from organisations addressing food insecurity.

She conversed with Essex-based greengrocer Peter Thomas, aged 72, who had travelled from Loughton to create an eye-catching fruit and vegetable arrangement outside the abbey.

The Queen's attention then turned to a 1957 agricultural vehicle presented by Cotswolds-based farmer Peter Drinkwater, aged 65, from Ebrington village.

Upon hearing the location, Camilla responded warmly with "oh, not very far from me" - referring to her and the King’s Highgrove estate.

Mr Drinkwater explained that they then discussed the vintage machinery with enthusiasm, revealing she possessed a similar vehicle herself.

While Camilla attended the harvest celebration, the King marked the 40th anniversary of the Handback of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa to its Traditional Owners during a celebration at the Australian High Commission.

In 1976, the Australian Parliament passed the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, meaning that First Nations peoples could claim land where traditional ownership could be proven - leading to the National Park being returned in 1985.

King Charles then met nine Aṉangu Traditional Owners who have travelled from Australia, with the support of the High Commission, to mark this historic occasion.

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