Why King Charles is not making any public appearances today

Following a momentous week that saw him become monarch, King Charles will be absent from the public gaze today.

Charles has been a mainstay on television screens and in front of crowds over the past seven days as he deals with both the loss of his mother and settling in to his new role.

But there will be no public appearances from the new King today as he has a pre-planned private day of reflection at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire.

The 18th century countryside estate near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, serves as the private home of Charles and his wife Camilla, now the Queen Consort, and is something of a sanctuary for the King.

On Wednesday, Charles joined his sons and other members of the royal family in a public display of homage to the late Queen by walking behind her coffin as it was carried into Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until the state funeral on Monday.

Watched by tens of thousands lining the route from Buckingham Palace, the King delivered his mother to the hands of the nation for a period of four days.

After an emotional few days, detailed planning for the aftermath of the Queen’s death – known as “London Bridge” – a day has been set aside at this point for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties.

Watch: King and Princes follow Queen's final journey

Charles’ rest day comes after a week where he visited every nation of the United Kingdom, travelling more than 1,500 miles to meet mourners, as well as making his maiden’s King’s speech following his proclamation on Saturday – two days after his mother died.

He has been seen warmly greeting large crowds and filmed an emotional address to the country, all while mourning the loss of his mother.

Today will allow the King to pause – but it is understood he will be working in preparation for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers.

Every day of the year, except Christmas Day, Charles will receive from government ministers – and from representatives in Commonwealth and foreign countries – information in the form of policy papers, cabinet documents and Foreign Office telegrams.

The correspondence also includes a daily summary of events in Parliament, letters and other state papers which are sent by his private secretary in the red boxes also used by government ministers to carry confidential documents.

All of the papers have to be read and, where necessary, approved and signed.

Charles is expected to return to public duties on Friday, ahead of final preparations for the Queen’s funeral, which will take place on Monday.

Meanwhile, mourners continue to join the queue in London for the Queen’s lying in state.

Queues along Lambeth Bridge and Albert Embankment have been flowing all night, with some waiting for nine hours to pay their respects to the late Queen.