King Charles returns to public duties in visit to cancer treatment center

London
CNN
—

King Charles III, being treated for an unspecified cancer, returned to public duties on Tuesday with his first official engagement since his diagnosis after his doctors were said to be “very encouraged” by his progress.

The 75-year-old monarch revealed he was battling cancer in early February and was continuing his treatment while resuming public engagements.

The first new entry in his diary was a visit to a cancer treatment center in London, where he was to meet patients and staff.

The King, who has been patron of Macmillan Cancer Support for almost three decades, was accompanied by his wife, the Queen. The two men smiled and waved to well-wishers gathered nearby upon their arrival before being greeted at the hospital by medical staff.

Camilla, 76, has been president of cancer charity Maggie’s since 2008.

So far, the king has remained largely out of the public eye during his treatment, with the exception of an Easter Sunday outing where he delighted crowds with an impromptu walk after attending church with several members of his family.

Tuesday’s visit to the Macmillan Cancer Center at University College Hospital was intended to reiterate the value of early diagnosis and draw attention to some of the innovative research being carried out there.

The King’s exit came as he was announced as the new boss of Cancer Research UK. While at the center, he was scheduled to meet with the organization’s chief clinician, Charlie Swanton, who led a project called TRACERx, focused on lung cancer.

While Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that the British sovereign had been given the green light to return to public duties, it will be a cautious return.

He said future events would be adapted if necessary to minimize any risk to his recovery.

The palace did not say how many engagements were being added to the king’s diary or whether he would be able to attend his birthday parade in London or the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in June.

However, it has been confirmed that he will host the Emperor and Empress of Japan for a state visit later this month.

This is a developing story and will be updated.