King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheerful this morning as they headed to the Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
The 75-year-old monarch’s appearance comes after it emerged he plans to attend Royal Ascot this summer, despite his ongoing battle with cancer.
The five-day race, held in June, is said to be of great importance to the King as he wants to honor his late mother, the Queen, who only missed one Ascot during her 70-year reign.
In recent weeks, the King, who revealed he was suffering from an unidentified form of cancer in February, has been making more and more public appearances, much to the relief of the British public.
Charles largely stepped back from his public-facing duties after revealing his shocking diagnosis, but continued reading his daily red boxes and had his weekly audience with the Prime Minister.
King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheerful this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.
King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheerful this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk.
The King, who has been undergoing cancer treatment, is understood to be eager to return to action, and his aides are so pleased with his progress that they are planning for him to attend the event. Pictured: The King and Queen Camilla on the third day of Ascot last year.
Earlier this week, the monarch happily waved to fans and tourists outside Clarence House as he drove out in his maroon Bentley limousine.
Excited royal watchers took pictures of Charles as he passed by, and many seemed surprised to have been so lucky to catch a glimpse of the King in real life.
It is understood that in the coming weeks Charles plans to “reinforce his schedule”, which is good news for royal fans, who are still recovering from the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis which shocked the world.
An insider previously told the Mail: “The idea of a cloistered monarch simply would not fit today and will only create damaging speculation about Her Majesty’s health.”
A source added last month: “Although it is too early to confirm things (and of course it is relatively early in Her Majesty’s treatment cycle), the patient is positive, the doctors are optimistic and the treatments are incredibly sophisticated.” .
Last night the Mail on Sunday revealed that the King is eager to return to action, with his aides planning his attendance at Ascot.
He was previously expected to miss the occasion, due to the treatment he received, however he is determined to look after his horses, many of which were bred by his late mother.
The King has told courtiers that he wants to honor the memory of his late mother by attending this summer’s Royal Ascot. Pictured with Queen Camilla on the fifth day of Ascot last year.
Kate, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte looking to the sky during last year’s Trooping the Color event
A racing source said: “Racing is an important part of the legacy he inherited from his mother and cherishes.” That’s why he will want to go so badly.
Charles is expected to spend “at least” one day at the event with his friends and family.
It has also been announced that the King will attend Trooping the Colour, which takes place three days before Ascot begins.
Last month, chaos was caused when the army’s official website announced that Kate Middleton would attend the event, which takes place every June, marking her return to public life after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
The mistake, which was made before the princess publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis, sparked a frenzy among royal fans who rushed to get tickets.
But Kensington Palace had not confirmed Kate’s attendance and MailOnline understood that the MoD did not consult Palace officials about the update.