Charles is ‘feeling incredibly positive’ about the future as he continues to make his return to duties following his cancer diagnosis and is ‘keen to get back to work’, royal sources have said

The King is filling his diary up with commitments this summer to “make up for lost time” as aides are working round the clock to prepare his diary.

Charles is “feeling incredibly positive” about the future as he continues to make his return to duties following his cancer diagnosis and is “keen to get back to work”, royal sources have said. The monarch is continuing weekly treatment but engaging in regular meetings with palace staff, carrying on with the government Red Boxes and already committing to several high profile events, including the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in Normandy, sources have said.

Buckingham Palace reiterated today that the King’s diary would be managed according to his ongoing treatment and how he was feeling on any given day. But today Charles, 75, carried out his first major investiture since being diagnosed with the disease in February.

The sovereign knighted the Archbishop of Canterbury for his key role in the coronation, and bestowed a damehood on bestselling author Dame Jilly Cooper. Charles, who was given permission by his doctors to return to public duties last month, greeted 52 recipients one by one at Windsor Castle. Although it was his largest indoor ceremony for many months, the investiture was on a slightly smaller scale than usual. Around 60 people, and sometimes more than 70, are typically invested with their honours, watched by their chosen guests.

King Charles and Prince William in front of a helicopter during the handover of the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

But sources said it was “incredibly encouraging” for the King to carry out his first investiture ceremony for five months, with his last one taking place on December 19, a month before he was admitted to hospital for treatment on his prostate. One insider remarked: “The King is in great spirits and as full of positivity as I’ve ever seen him.

“He’s already told aides he is absolutely determined to make several dates in the summer months, including the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations and attend Trooping the Colour (the King’s official birthday celebrations in London on June 15) which is wonderful news. There’s certainly a feeling that he wants to make up for lost time.”

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The Archbishop of Canterbury today described last year’s coronation as “deeply moving” after being honoured by the King. Justin Welby recalled the experience of anointing Charles at Westminster Abbey as he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) for his key role in the event.

Mr Welby also said Charles seemed in “very good spirits indeed” and was “looking very well” as they spoke during the ceremony.‌ Awards of the Royal Victorian Order are in the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.

King Charles greets crowds at the Army Aviation Centre in Stockbridge, Hampshire (
Image:
Getty Images)
Mr Welby said being part of such a hugely historical moment was “surreal”, adding: “You sort of keep thinking you’re going to wake up.” He admitted that he hoped he would never have to do the coronation because of his affinity with Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022.

Asked about the legacy of the coronation, Mr Welby said: “What I hope is remembered is the solemnity and the authenticity with which the King said to the small boy at the beginning: ‘I come not to be served, but to serve in the battle of Jesus Christ’. That summed up everything we were trying to say in the current nation.”

Dean of Westminster Abbey Dr David Hoyle was among the other people honoured at the ceremony, as he was made a Knight Commander for his own role in the coronation. Charles last week said he was glad to be “out of my cage” as he took part in his first military engagement since his return.

Sources say the King is also planning to attend at least some of the Royal Ascot festival, which starts on June 18. It has been a tumultuous start to the year for the King following his hospitalisation for an enlarged prostate in January and subsequent cancer diagnosis the following month.

But in a positive step forward, he has already held a series of events since it was announced he would be returning to public-facing engagements, including a visit to a cancer hospital earlier this month. Charles also officially handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to the Prince of Wales in a joint engagement on Monday, while he also hosted the first garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday.

After the King led the royals at the Easter Sunday service at St George’s chapel, Windsor Castle, a senior palace source said: “His Majesty’s treatment continues and caution is of course the watchword, but as diary plans are evolved towards summer, we hope to see more of these carefully-calibrated steps towards the resumption of some public facing duties for The King, with adjustments made where necessary. Nothing will be confirmed until nearer the time, plans remain in flux and are subject to medical guidance, but there is great hope and optimism from both doctors and the patient.”