Brave King Charles gets back to work before returning to Sandringham to recover after more cancer treatment
Charles’ treatment schedule will see him return to London soon
KING Charles headed straight back to work in London today before returning to Sandringham to recover after more cancer treatment.
The monarch, 75, looked in good spirits this morning as he headed to Buckingham Palace for state business.
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King Charles returns to Sandringham via helicopterCredit: NO CREDIT
Charles waved as he arrived at Buckingham Palace earlier todayCredit: Doug Seeburg
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King Charles en route to Sandringham todayCredit: Ray Collins
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The monarch was in London for another round of cancer treatmentCredit: Ray Collins
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Charles arriving at Clarence House yesterdayCredit: PA
After going through his red boxes and meeting palace officials, Charles headed back to Sandringham via helicopter for some rest.
The Palace has not confirmed the type of cancer, but it is understood not to be the prostate.
His Majesty is said to have started receiving “pioneering” treatment and will return regularly to the capital for care.
Charles is expected to have further cancer treatment as an out-patient in London this month and the Palace has yet to set a date for his return to frontline duties.
Since 2003, Charles has lived at Clarence House, his official London residence mainly used for working engagements.
Prince Harry and Charles reunited at Clarence House last week after the Duke made a transatlantic dash following Charles’ cancer diagnosis.
Charles personally told Harry about his cancer diagnosis in what is understood to have been a warm conversation over the phone.
A convoy of two black SUVs took the prince from the airport’s VIP Windsor Suite to the royal residence.
The meeting was Harry and Charles’s first face-to-face encounter for 16 months.
On Sunday, the King was seen beaming as he headed to church with Queen Camilla.
Writing in a signed message released on the weekend, the King gave thanks for the messages of support since last Monday’s announcement.
He said: “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”
And in the message, written from Sandringham, he added it was “equally heartening” that sharing his diagnosis has “shone a light” on the great work carried out by cancer charities.
He said: “My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”
KING’S HEALTH BATTLE
His Majesty has postponed all frontline engagements while he undergoes cancer treatment.
It remains unclear when the King, 75, will be able to resume full-time public appearances.
He is expected to rest at Windsor Castle, Highgrove and Sandringham over the coming weeks and months.
His Majesty carried out a staggering 516 engagements last year, including 94 trips abroad.
However, King Charles will continue with his weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, but they may have to be scaled back on the advice of doctors.
In the meantime, other Royals, including the Queen, will continue with a full programme of public duties.
They are also likely to undertake additional duties on behalf of the King whilst he is out of action.
The cancer announcement came just eight days after His Majesty was released from hospital following a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.
But a “separate issue of concern was noted” during his stay – and tests went on to find cancer.
Palace sources say he wanted to be open about his condition to “prevent speculation” and “assist public understanding” about cancer.
The King and Queen were set to embark on a tour of Canada in May, which would have included trips to the Arctic Circle.
But the trip, coming after three successful state visits to France, Germany and Kenya last year, will not go ahead as planned.
There is huge speculation around the King and Queen’s travel plans later in the year.
The King had been keen to appear at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, which starts on October 21.
It would involve flying almost 10,000 miles to the South Pacific Ocean and would be held alongside the King and Queen’s first tour of Australia since the Coronation.
Last month, NHS England recorded a massive surge in searches for melanoma after The Sun revealed Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been diagnosed with skin cancer.
There was one visit every 13 seconds to the NHS website for information on the disease in the two days following the announcement.