The King and Queen welcomed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria Starmer to Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening for a reception celebrating carers throughout the United Kingdom.

At the royal residence in Berkshire, the two couples greeted both paid and unpaid carers alongside representatives from charitable organisations working in the sector.

The event brought together those who provide care professionally with individuals who look after loved ones without remuneration.

Charity workers supporting the care community were also among the guests at the gathering.

The Windsor Castle reception marked the first occasion Charles and Sir Keir have appeared together publicly since American authorities released millions of documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Both men have been navigating the aftermath of the scandal in recent days.

On Monday, the King expressed “profound concern” about allegations that his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, passed confidential reports from his position as UK trade envoy to Epstein.

Thames Valley Police has confirmed it is assessing these claims.

The fallout has also affected Downing Street, with two staff departures and the Scottish Labour leader calling for Sir Keir to step down.

The controversy has additionally renewed scrutiny of Lord Peter Mandelson’s nomination as UK ambassador to the United States given his connection to Epstein.

Wednesday’s reception served as an opportunity to recognise the contributions of millions who dedicate themselves to caring for others across the nation.

In a printed message to attendees, the King expressed his delight at hosting the gathering to honour “those remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to the care of others.”

Charles highlighted that approximately five million people across the country provide unpaid care to family members, representing one in every 10 adults.

“They do so not for recognition nor reward, but because their hearts compel them to,” the King wrote.

He also acknowledged the roughly 1.6 million professionals employed in adult social care, including nurses, care workers and support staff who have “chosen to make compassion their vocation.”

The monarch described these two groups as “great pillars of care” that, together with supporting charities, form the bedrock upon which countless families and wider society depend.

The King’s message addressed the difficulties carers encounter, including feelings of isolation, exhaustion and money worries.

“We owe it to them not merely to offer our thanks, but our practical support,” Charles wrote.

He drew particular attention to young carers, noting that hundreds of thousands of children across the nation take on responsibilities “that would test the strongest among us.”

Some are as young as five years old, helping to look after parents, siblings or grandparents by preparing food, giving medication, offering emotional support and handling household tasks whilst navigating childhood themselves.

“It is beholden on us to ensure that their selflessness does not come at the cost of their own childhood, their education or their dreams,” the King stated.

Barnardo’s estimates that up to one in five children in Britain may be young carers.