King Carlos III reappears smiling to congratulate Holy Week

King Charles III of the United Kingdom reappeared in public this Sunday for the first time since February when he announced that he had cancerto attend mass in the church of St. George in Windsor Castle, after which he congratulated the citizens on Easter.

Both after arriving with Camilla at the temple of the royal residence and after leaving, the 75-year-old sovereign addressed the people who had gathered in front of his door a few hours ago with a relaxed and smiling face.

Sources from Buckingham Palace – the monarch’s official residence in the British capital – indicated that while this appearance does not mean that the king will resume his public duties, The intention is to show that his oncology treatment is progressing positively.

A gesture to inspire confidence

On February 5, the palace announced that Charles III had been diagnosed with unspecified cancer, discovered after surgery for an enlarged prostate in January, and that he would retire from public life until further notice, although he would retain his official duties.

On February 11, he went with his wife to the church of their country residence in Sandringham (Eastern England) and since then has only been seen on photo or video, with an audio recording released this Thursday on the occasion of the annual Royal Maundy ceremonies.

Because of this, his presence this Sunday at the Anglican Holy Week religious service caused great expectations, waiting for his health condition to be checked as much as possible.

Charles III and Camilla arrived at the Church of San Jorge and when they got out of the car they greeted the crowd from afar. When a citizen congratulated him on Easter from afar, He replied, “Likewise.”

The royals dressed in dark for the occasion, she in a green Anne Valentine dress and a Philip Treacy hat, complete with an emerald and diamond brooch that belonged to the late Elizabeth II.

At the end of the private mass, both came to personally greet the public.

“Happy Easter” and “I hope you haven’t caught a cold” were some of the words the sovereign addressed to the crowd, in addition to accepting a letter given to him by a lady and shaking hands with numerous people from the country and abroad. United Kingdom.

Family, at least

A few minutes before the kings arrived, the brothers of the head of state entered St. George’s: Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence, her younger brother Edward and his wife Sofia, the Duke of Edinburgh and their son, James, and the Duke and Duchess of York, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

Big absentees were the Princes of Wales, William – the heir to the throne – and Kate, who are spending Easter with their family after she revealed on March 22 that she is also being treated for cancer.

In an emotional video, Kate (42) explained that the cancer was detected by tests after abdominal surgery on January 16 and announced that she will leave official duties for now to focus on her children Jorge, Carlota and Luis and his recovery.

While Charles III and the princess are undergoing treatment, The rest of the royal family must take on a busy official agendaespecially Prince William and Camilla.

However, as Guillermo stays with his wife these days, the biggest weight falls on Camila, who participated in the Royal Maundy this Thursday, and previously traveled to Northern Ireland.

Charles III has lived 18 intense months since he ascended the throne after the death of his mother on September 8, 2022, who lies in state in the George VI Chapel of St. George in Windsor, together with her husband, the prince. Philip, and his parents, George VI and the Queen Mother, Elizabeth.

It is not yet known whether the monarch, who was crowned on May 6, 2023, will be able to take part in the popular ‘Trooping the Color’ celebration in June, when his ‘official’ birthday is celebrated and when the monarchy usually salutes from the Buckingham balcony.