King Charles to have day of private reflection at Highgrove after momentous week

New British monarch has returned to his Highgrove home and will not perform any public duties on Thursday

King Charles III behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is brought into Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state before her funeral on Monday. PA

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King Charles III is to have some time away from public duties on Thursday and will spend the day in private reflection after a momentous period in which he became the new British monarch.

The king is not expected to attend any public events on Thursday and has returned to his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire.

In the guidelines known as “London Bridge”, which detail plans for the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II's death, a day was set aside for the new monarch to have some time away from public duties.

The period will allow the king to pause, but it is understood he will be working to prepare for his new role and will already be receiving his red boxes of state papers.

The new monarch led the royal family in a public display of homage to the late queen on Wednesday by walking behind her coffin with his siblings, sons and other relatives as it was carried into Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until the 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.

The public pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster — in pictures

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as it lies in state inside Westminster Hall, London. AFP

People queue in Westminster Hall to pay their respects. Getty

Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall after a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth lies in Westminster Hall. PA

Long lines of mourners pass through Westminster Hall. AP

Queen Elizabeth will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday. AFP

Every day of the year, except Christmas Day, he 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.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace — in pictures

King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

Queen Elizabeth lies in state in Westminster Hall before the public is allowed in to pay their respects. Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk in the procession as it arrives at Westminster Hall. AP

Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. AP

The choir performs at Westminster Hall. Reuters

A view of the London skyline during the procession of the coffin. AP

Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Hall. AP

The imperial state crown sits on top of the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. Getty Images

The coffin is laid to rest in Westminster Hall. Getty Images

Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Edward follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. PA

A woman wipes away tears as she joins people sitting in Hyde Park. AP

Life Guards, a unit of the Household Cavalry, stand guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry depart after the procession. Getty Images

The coffin is carried down The Mall. PA

A man overcome with emotion in Hyde Park. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA

Mourners watch the procession at Hyde Park. Getty Images

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, adorned with the royal standard and the imperial state crown, and pulled by a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace in London. AFP

The procession leaves Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. PA

The imperial state crown on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is driven behind the coffin. AFP

King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin. Getty

The cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace. Getty

Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin. AP

Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Royal Navy soldiers march ahead of the procession near Big Ben. Getty

Coldstream Guards prepare outside Buckingham Palace, before the ceremonial procession. PA

King Charles waves to the crowds after leaving Clarence House in central London, before the procession. AFP

Crowds gather along The Mall. Reuters

Members of the Life Guards leave Wellington Barracks ahead of the procession. AP

Mourners gather to watch the procession in Hyde Park. Getty

A mourner at The Mall decorated with images of Queen Elizabeth. PA

Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace. AFP

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

The red boxes are made by leather goods company Barrow and Gale but it is not known if King Charles has received a new set or is using the queen’s boxes for the time being.

The late queen still used the boxes that were made for her on her coronation in 1953, having had them refurbished over the years.

This is the moment Queen Elizabeth II left Buckingham Palace for the last time — video