King Charles returns to work with poignant choice for first official engagement

King Charles returns to official public duties for the first time since cancer treatment (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

King Charles appeared all smiles today as he attended his first official engagement since being diagnosed with cancer.

Accompanied by Queen Camilla, it was fitting that he chose a cancer unit in Fitzrovia, central London, for his return to duties.

He was found to have the disease in February while undergoing treatment for a benign prostate enlargement and continues to receive outpatient care.

Today’s visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre was part of the King’s mission to raise awareness of early diagnosis.

The King visited a cancer centre in central London with Queen Camilla (Picture: AP)

Sources have said that despite the welcome news the King still has cancer and will continue to be treated for the undisclosed form of the disease.

The Palace has warned that Charles’s diary will not be a full summer programme, but his attendance will be announced nearer the time and ‘subject to doctors’ advice’, with ‘adaptations made where necessary to minimise risk’ to his recovery.

It is understood the warmer weather would allow events to be staged outside and lower the risk posed by other people that many cancer patients face, PA reports.

He is reportedly hoping to ride his mare, Noble, for the Trooping of the Colour event in June, The Sun said citing an insider source.

The King spent three nights at the London Clinic in January – the same private hospital where Kate Middleton stayed for almost two weeks after her abdominal surgery also in January.

After his diagnosis was announced on February 6, the monarch postponed all public engagements while he continued with his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings, including meeting with the Prime Minister.

King Charles III And Queen Camilla pose for pictures during their visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre (Picture: WireImage)

Buckingham Palace released a new picture of King Charles and Camilla to mark the first anniversary of his coronation, taken after their 19th wedding anniversary on April 10.

The pair are seen smiling and walking arm in arm along a path with shrubs and colourful flowers in the background.

Prince William is carrying out royal engagements in the North East after his return to work two weeks ago following Kate’s cancer announcement.

William is set to visit an Earthshot Prize finalist firm which makes low-carbon construction material in Seaham, and opening James’s Place – a centre offering free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men in Newcastle.

A previously unseen portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales was released by Kensington Palace on Monday to mark their 13 years of marriage.

The couple married on April 29, 201after an eight-year relationship.

The photo taken by Millie Pilkington – who took the most recent picture of the King and Queen to mark Charles’s return to public duties – shows William and Kate on their wedding day.

It was posted on the Waleses’ social media accounts on Monday with the caption ’13 years ago today!’.

Kate has been undergoing preventative chemotherapy after biopsy results showed cancer was present.

She revealed her diagnosis in a devastating address to the nation in March, saying it has been an ‘incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family.’

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Wessex, visited Ukraine – the first senior royal to visit the war-torn country since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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