King Charles returns to public work with visit to London cancer center

London — Britain’s King Charles III returned to official public duties Tuesday for the first time since he began treatment for cancer in February. Charles and Queen Camilla visited a hospital and specialist cancer treatment center to provide support to staff and patients.

Buckingham Palace announced the imminent return to work of the king in a statement Friday, adding that the king’s doctors were “very encouraged by the progress made so far” in his treatment for an unspecified cancer.

The King and Queen visited the Macmillan Cancer Center at University College Hospital in London on Tuesday, where he met patients and doctors. The monarch appeared happy and healthy as he greeted well-wishers outside before heading to the treatment center to meet patients and staff.

Buckingham Palace did not say where the monarch, who became the new patron of the charity Cancer Research UK, was undergoing his own treatment, or what that treatment entailed.

Charles’ daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, is also undergoes treatment for an unspecified cancer – news she shared in a video message released in March amid rampant speculation.

Kate, as she is most commonly known, and her husband, Prince William, have requested privacy as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy following doctors’ discovery of cancer. They made the discovery through tests carried out following a major abdominal operation Kate underwent in January.

There have been no updates on the treatment of the Princess of Wales from Kensington Palace, her and William’s official residence.

While Tuesday marked the official return of the king to public functions, Charles greeted well-wishers after attending an Easter church service in late March.

Buckingham Palace said it may also attend some upcoming annual events, including the “Trooping the Color” military parade and the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War Allied landings in France, both of which will take place in June.

Charles and Camilla will, however, not welcome Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako when they visit London at the end of June.