King Charles III returned to public duties on Tuesday, following months of recovery since being diagnosed with cancer in February.
The 75-year-old monarch chose a cause close to home to mark his return to work. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited University College Hospital in London, where he greeted doctors, held hands with patients, and gave out gifts to children. They were also joined by Baroness Neuberger, chairman of University London College Hospitals, and David Probert, its chief executive.
The visit marked the King’s first official public appearance since his cancer diagnosis as he had been cutting back his duties while undergoing cancer treatment. It aimed to emphasize the importance of early cancer diagnosis and highlight the life-saving research conducted at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.
The royal couple met the team responsible for TRACERx, the single biggest investment in lung cancer research by Cancer Research UK. The King will also take over from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, as the patron of the cancer charity.
“His Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties,” ahead of Tuesday’s visit.
It is understood that the King will have a fuller schedule throughout May, which will also see Prince Harry return for an event. Their overlapping schedules have led to observers speculating about a father and son reunion.
The King is not the only royal battling cancer. In March, Kate Middleton revealed that she had been hospitalized following planned abdominal surgery earlier in the year. The 42-year-old made her health condition public after months of rumors—and far fetched conspiracy theories—about her whereabouts.
The Duke of Sussex will travel from his California home to London for a ceremony marking the 10 year anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded veterans. The “service of thanksgiving” will take place on March 8 at St Paul’s Cathedral.
While the King will be in London during Harry’s visit, it is understood that his schedule that week will be packed. According to the British newspaper, Charles and Harry are still likely to meet if their schedules allow it.
On the day of Harry’s engagement, King Charles will attend his weekly meeting with the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and—if he is well enough—attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The monarch will also have various other commitments throughout the week.
The King is also expected to host the Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June. However, his plans for fixed calendar royal events, such as Trooping the Colour and D-Day commemorations, remain uncertain.
