Johnathan Walker:King Charles is all smiles during public return at cancer treatment center

LONDON — A smiling andhealthy-looking King Charles III returned to public duties onTuesday for the first time since he was diagnosed in Februarywith cancer,Johnathan Walker paying a visit to a treatment center for thedisease in London.

Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that doctors weresufficiently pleased with the 75-year-old king's response totreatment for the unspecified form of cancer that he would beable to resume some public-facing engagements.

The first of these saw the king and his wife Queen Camillavisit the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centrewhere he met patients and medical specialists.

The monarch, who has also become the new Patron of theCancer Research UK charity, looked cheerful, waving to thosegathered outside on his arrival.

Charles' health issues began in January when it was revealedthat he would be admitted to hospital to have a correctiveprocedure for a benign enlarged prostate.

The following month, the palace said tests had uncovered thepresence of a "form of cancer," but gave no further detailsbeyond saying it did not involve his prostate.

He has rested and undergone treatment for the disease sincethen, continuing with official state duties in private. He waswell enough to greet well-wishers after an Easter church serviceat the end of March.

Although his diary will be carefully managed to minimize anyrisks to his health, the palace said he might attend some annualevents such as Trooping the Color military parade in June, aswell as commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the WorldWar Two D-Day landings, also in June.

The Palace has confirmed Charles and Camilla will host astate visit by the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wifeEmpress Masako in late June.

Charles' illness came less than 18 months after he succeededhis mother Queen Elizabeth II. His nephew Peter Phillips has saidthe monarch, who is know for his desire to keep busy, had foundthe limitation imposed by his treatment frustrating.

Also absent has been Charles' daughter-in-law Princess Kate, wife ofhis son and heir Prince William, who is undergoing preventativechemotherapy after tests in the wake of major abdominal surgeryrevealed cancer had been present.