King Charles and Zara Tindall share a sweet moment as the monarch returns to duties
A beaming King Charles shared a tender hug with his niece Zara Tindall at a horseshow after ‘supercharging his diary’ upon his return to public duties.
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King Charles was seen beaming as he hugged his niece Zara Tindall at Windsor Horse Show today after asking aides to “supercharge his diary”.
Excited to get back to public duties, the 75-year-old monarch was all smiles on Friday at the rain-soaked event, clad in a smart camel trench coat and brown suit.
The King is “raring to go” and “supercharged his diary” as he has cancer treatment, says a Palace source told The Sun.
Charles was snapped warmly embracing his niece Zara Tindall, a former Olympian equestrian, during his third royal engagement this week.
The royal also cracked jokes and laughed with equestrians and jockeys on track sidelines.
The late Queen would regularly attend as a spectator at the royal horseshow at Windsor Castle and now Charles has joined the event just like his mother used to.
Charles was spotted with Camilla by his side on Sunday at Crathie Church service in Aberdeen, the second time the royal couple were seen in out and about since Buckingham Palace revealed the King would be returning to public-facing duties. On Wednesday, the King and Queen were presented with the Coronation Roll, the record of their Coronation, by the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, at Buckingham Palace. The Coronation Roll is the official State record of a monarch's accession and Coronation.
The triumphant return to public duties has also been celebrated by the monarch’s friend Lionel Richie who attended the King’s Trust Global Gala in New York on Thursday.
Richie, an ambassador of the Trust, confirmed to People magazine at the event that His Majesty is indeed improving.
“Happily I can say he is doing fantastic,” Richie said.
The ‘Endless Love’ singer showed genuine concern for the King and approved of his decision to stay at home for the gala this year given his already hectic schedule.
“Again, I understand, he needs to sit still, you know what I’m saying,” Richie said.
“The most important part is he is doing well. He’s back to his duties and so therefore, I wouldn’t want the first thing for him to do is come over — let’s not prove anything here.”
Richie was among the talent selected to perform at the King’s coronation ceremony last year and he even welcome the Charles and Camilla to appear in the audience during an episode of American Idol.
Tellingly, his Majesty chose a meaningful appointment with which to make his actual public comeback – by visiting a cancer hospital.
As a patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, Charles wanted the visit to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight innovative research supported by Cancer Research UK, which took place at the hospital.
But as he spoke to staff and patients, it was clear he was sharing his experiences as a fellow cancer patient.
Media commentator Piers Morgan has observed a noticeable shift in King Charles since his cancer diagnosis.
“I’ve been at numerous events with Charles over the years and his interactions with the public have always been reasonably perfunctory. He’ll exchange a quick word, or joke, maybe shake a hand or pose for a photo, then swiftly move on.
“He rarely stays with one person for more than 30 seconds or so. But this looked and felt very different. He spent significantly longer periods of time talking to the patients, and with a far greater intensity and focus on what they said to him.
“It wasn’t difficult to work out why: he’s in the same health boat they’re all in, stuck in the same choppy and dangerous cancer ocean, paddling for his life.”
While it is too early to say how much longer Charles will be receiving treatment, the King’s medical team are “very encouraged” by progress made so far and remain “positive” about his recovery.
King Charles has “supercharged” his diary in the weeks and months ahead, with appointments announced nearer the time and subject to doctor’s advice.
His Majesty will continue with all official State business and selected audiences, according to The Sun.
The King’s schedule will be carefully designed to meet his recovery needs and it is expected he will attend the Birthday Parade, D-Day Commemorations, Garden Parties, Royal Ascot, and an Autumn overseas tour to Australia and the South Pacific.
The Palace said: “His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued car and expertise.
– With The Sun
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