Smiling King Charles III resumes public activities, three months after announcing his cancer

Le roi Charles III et la reine Camilla au centre Macmillan de l'University College Hospital à Londres le 30 avril. MAXPPP – Imageplotter/Avalon

A smiling King Charles III affirmed Tuesday that he was doing well, resuming his public activities in London after three months of absence due to his cancer.

75-year-old King Charles III, still undergoing treatment, had symbolically chosen to go to a specialized cancer center, with Queen Camilla, 76 years old. Arriving in a royal Bentley at the Macmillan center of University College Hospital late in the morning, the king, in a blue suit, spent around forty minutes there.

"I asked him how are you, he said 'I'm fine'&quot ; said after her visit Asha Millen, 60 years old, being treated for bone marrow cancer. "I also have to have my treatment this afternoon", the king also entrusted to Lesley Woodbridge, 63 years old, who had come for her chemotherapy session.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla. MAXPPP – Alpha Press

Walking slowly, the king shook many hands and spoke with caregivers and the sick. He sat next to several patients and took their hands. He accepted flowers from children, gave them a gift before leaving with his wife, still in a Bentley. Charles III wanted with this first public commitment in three months to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnoses.

"Her Majesty has made every effort to meet as many staff and patients as possible". Patients were "thrilled" to see him, hospital director David Probert said after a "incredibly inspiring visit".

Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that Charles III would resume a "certain number" of engagements , "carefully calibrated", in"close consultation with his doctors".

Can’t wait to get back on track

They are "very encouraged by the progress made thus far and remain optimistic about the continued recovery of the king", the palace had specified.

The king and queen are to receive in June on an unspecified date Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako, for a visit to Japan. State at the invitation of the British government.

Other possible commitments – Royal Ascot, 80th anniversary of D-Day, Trooping the Color in June, traditional garden parties – will be subject to the advice of doctors, closer of their date.

King Charles III in a blue suit. MAXPPP – Alpha Press

Nine months after his coronation in May 2023, the palace announced in early February that Charles III was suffering from cancer, discovered after a prostate operation in January. His nature and his state of progress were never specified, but the announcement of his illness was in itself a small revolution, breaking the omerta surrounding until then the health of sovereigns.

Charles III then suspended his public activities, but continued his tasks as constitutional monarch which include signing laws, speaking regularly with the Prime Minister and validating certain appointments. The king, very active before his cancer, was apparently eager to resume his public activities.

"I think he's very frustrated at not being able to do everything he wants to be able to do" , his nephew Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, declared on Sky News Australia at the end of March, adding that Charles III "was pushing"< /em> those around him, including his doctors, to do more.