King Charles Puts On Brave Face In First Church Outing Since Cancer Diagnosis

King Charles III has made a rare appearance, attending church alongside Queen Camilla for the first time since commencing his cancer treatment. The royal couple made their way to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, as they waved to photographers and bystanders.

Charles was recently diagnosed with cancer, although the exact nature of his health scare was not divulged. Speculations were rife about him appointing a councilor of state to take charge in his absence, but a source recently revealed that wouldn't be the case as he doesn't want to put that sort of pressure on his children.

According to a report, King Charles looked joyful as he attended church at the Sandringham Estate Chapel with Queen Camilla by his side.

The royals were greeted by Rev. Canon Paul Williams as they waved to more than 100 bystanders and well-wishers.

Clad in his traditional long brown coat and using an umbrella as a walking stick, the king walked with his usual brisk pace as he made his way to church. Camilla donned a white jacket and black hat.

Crowds, who gathered to show the royal couple support, watched on from behind locked gates, as a source said that King Charles "seemed like he was doing really well."

Buckingham Palace released a statement on Saturday in which Charles addressed his recent cancer diagnosis for the first time, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from the public.

The King offered his "heartfelt thanks" to the British public for their "many messages of support and good wishes" just days after he reunited with Prince Harry.

"I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days," the note signed by Charles read.

"As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement," it continued. "It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world."

The statement added, "My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience."

Sources familiar with the "workaholic" king's routine have shed light on the activities he'll seemingly find therapeutic as he embarks on his journey of recovery. Charles has been based in the picturesque Norfolk estate as he continues to recover following his prostrate surgery in January.

According to the Daily Mail, a source stated that the King will most likely indulge in two of his favorite hobbies - walking and water painting - while doing something he does not naturally do - relaxing.

Despite canceling all public appearances, insiders joke that he will work through his "red boxes" of paperwork "before he eats his boiled egg in the morning."

A friend noted: "Boredom will be one of the hardest things for him."

Another source close to the King noted that he will likely spend some of his time listening to his beloved records of the late Canadian singer Leonard Cohen, specifically the poetic song "Take This Waltz."

An insider from Buckingham Palace has shed light on the pivotal role Queen Camilla plays in the king's recovery effort, noting that she is his "strength and stay" like Prince Philip was for the late Queen Elizabeth II, per the Daily Mail.

"She is his strength and stay like [Prince Philip] was for the late Queen. She will be great. She will rally him, she will buoy him. She is amazing. She equips him to do the job he has to do," said the insider.

Camilla's message of Charles "doing extremely well" can be taken for face value as sources say he is set to hold a limited number of face-to-face meetings.

It comes after he had one of such meetings with his estranged son Harry last week after news first broke of his health scare. A source said the pair had a "brief meeting" before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham.