by Mick the Ram

Buckingham Palace have announced that King Charles will be returning to public engagements from next week after making encouraging progress in his on-going cancer treatment.

His Majesty will begin with what will be a symbolic trip to a cancer treatment centre, on Tuesday 30 April, with Queen Camilla alongside him.

His engagements will gradually increase over the coming weeks and if all goes well, he will look forward to welcoming Emperor and Empress of Japan in the summer months for a state visit.

It remains to be seen if Charles will be attending some of the bigger events later in the royal calendar, such as Trooping the Colour, the D-Day commemorations, and overseas trips previously planned for the autumn.

There has been no official notification given with regards to any sign of conclusion in his treatment and the Palace have urged continuing caution.

Right signals

Since his diagnosis, the King has been absent from public engagements. Although he has been carrying out his private work as head of state, including the regular meetings with the prime minister, this visit will be his first in an official capacity this year.

This positive move certainly sends the right signals, and it is hoped he will be able to increase gradually if he shows no adverse reaction. It is understood he will be able to meet people face-to-face, though each engagement will be reviewed individually.

Meet with patients

At next week’s trip to a cancer treatment centre, Charles will meet patients and staff and show his support for cancer research, but the Palace confirmed that it is not where he is receiving his treatment.

There had been encouraging signs at an Easter Sunday church service in Windsor, when he surprised crowds by greeting well-wishers and looking in good spirits.

Last minute changes possible

When the Japanese Emperor and Empress visit in the summer there will be a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and a carriage parade, but there could be last minute adaptations, depending on the King’s condition.

Encouraging but caution still needed

The Palace were remaining guarded, but did say that doctors were “very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King’s continued recovery”, although they still were not disclosing the type of cancer he is suffering from.

The doctors will also be heavily involved in his subsequent appearances which will be “carefully calibrated” to ensure he is not taking on too much.

No risks

The King has spoken of how moved he has been by all the kind messages and cards wishing, particularly he said, the “funnier ones”.

Buckingham Palace released a statement which said how Charles and Camilla “remain deeply grateful for all of the kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.”

They added that planning will continue, but nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this stage, except to say that no risks will be taken with regards to His Majesty’s continued recovery.

A picture of the King and Queen Camilla, taken earlier this month in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, has also been released.