A cheery wave as King vows to stay in the public eye throughout his cancer treatment
THE King looked in good spirits and waved cheerfully to well-wishers when attending church yesterday as he seeks to reassure the nation about his health.
Charles, 75, arrived on foot for the 11am service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla.
Wearing a favourite brown overcoat, brogues and a suit, it was his most significant public appearance since Buckingham Palace announced a week ago today that His Majesty had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
It was also revealed that he would start treatment immediately.
At his side, Camilla looked elegant in a cream coat accessorised with a brown hat and boots as she carried her wrap and umbrella. A
‘Very upbeat and keen to be seen’
man of deep personal faith, the King always attends church in public on Sundays when staying on his Norfolk estate.
But the Mail understands that his appearance is also part of a strategy to ensure he is seen in public as much as possible during his lengthy treatment and convalescence.
Palace aides are very much keeping the mantra of His Majesty’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth, in mind: ‘I have to be seen to be believed.’
Sources insist that the King is upbeat and positive – and those who have seen him at close quarters insist he looks so well that it appears little is wrong with him.
Indeed, he is said to have been working daily on his red boxes of papers and state business despite his cancer diagnosis and recent surgery for an enlarged prostate.
However Charles has been advised by doctors to steer clear of any large-scale public events and visits to protect his health at such
a crucial stage in his treatment. Senior royal aides also acknowledge that his absence from major public duties so early in his reign is far from ideal.
It is why the King is determined to be seen in public as much as possible. As revealed on Saturday by the Mail, he will return to London this week for one-on-one meetings and medical appointments.
He will be using his State Bentley, with its big windows, as much as possible when driving between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House to be far more visible to the public and media.
Next week his weekly audiences with the Prime Minister will restart and it is likely these, plus any other
meetings he has, will be documented by photographers and broadcast cameras.
‘The idea of a monarch cloistered away just wouldn’t wash nowadays and will only create damaging speculation about His Majesty’s health,’ said one insider.
Another source added the plan is ‘that the King will come into London, possibly weekly, and return to the countryside [Sandringham, Windsor or Highgrove] for extended weekends to recuperate. He is very upbeat and is keen to be seen.’
On Saturday, Charles thanked the public for their support, saying: ‘As all who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort.’