King Charles returns to public royal duties for the first time since cancer diagnosis

King Charles hopes that the visit will raise awareness of the importance of an early cancer diagnosis.

Today it was announced that the monarch will become the patron of Cancer Research UK.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London just after 11am today.

The King and Queen's royal engagement will highlight some of the innovative research which is taking place at the centre.

Buckingham Palace announced in February that the King had been diagnosed with a form of cancer.

The monarch stepped back from public-facing duties following his diagnosis.

Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh have all stepped up for the King during his absence over the last two months.

King Charles's treatment programme will continue but doctors are pleased with the progress His Majesty has made so far.

The King is expected to undertake several public-facing engagements next month.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise."

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The King looked overjoyed to be returning to public duties today as he waved and smiled at the crowd outside the medical centre.

King Charles will look to bring his own ongoing experience to the position of patron for Cancer Research UK.

His Majesty still has the disease and is undergoing treatment but has been given the all-clear to resume public duties by his doctors.