- Suzanne Leigh & Charlotte Gallagher
- bbc news
Video: King Charles and Queen Camilla speak to well-wishers after attending Easter service in Windsor
King Charles congratulated himself in his first major public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.
The King spoke to the crowd and shook hands after the Easter service in Windsor, accompanied by Queen Camilla.
The Prince and Duchess of Wales did not attend as Kate, Duchess of Wales, continues to undergo cancer treatment.
The king has continued to do some work since his diagnosis, but all of his efforts so far have been done privately.
The 75-year-old king surprised the waiting crowd and applauded him when he greeted him outside St George's Chapel after the service.
It was a chilly day, but he told the people: “You're very brave to stand out here in the cold.”
Many in the crowd wished the couple a happy Easter and wished the king a speedy recovery.
“We're all rooting for you. We're all rooting for you,” the public told him.
Another man said, “Your Majesty, please continue to do your best. Never give in and do your best.”
“You must follow my instructions,” the king joked.
The king seemed to be enjoying the walk, a positive sign that he felt able to shake hands and chat with the crowd.
The royal family's global appeal is evident at events like this. Among those visiting Windsor were people from New Zealand and the United States. No one expected them to actually meet the King and Queen.
The BBC understands that the church outing is not the beginning of a return to public life, but rather a cautious first step into the public eye.
The King was previously seen arriving at the church service by car with Queen Camilla.
When a member of the audience shouted “Happy Easter!”, he waved and replied, “And to you, too” before entering the chapel.
WATCH: Well-wishers gather at Windsor Castle as King attends Easter service
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, their son James, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Lawrence, and the Duke and Duchess of York were seen arriving just before the King and Queen.
The king has not attended any public events this year. The cancer was discovered in January while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. The type of cancer was not disclosed, but Buckingham Palace confirmed it was not prostate cancer.
image source, Getty Images
Anne Daly was traveling from Cardiff. “He had a wonderful smile,” she said. “He seemed to be in good spirits. I think he was happy that everyone came.”
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Princess of Wales revealed in a video announcement that she is undergoing preventative treatment for cancer.
Duchess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January, but it was not known at the time that she had cancer, but subsequent tests revealed she had cancer.
The princess is not expected to return to official duties soon.
The type of cancer the King and Duchess Kate have has not been disclosed.
The king surprised the crowd by greeting well-wishers after the Easter service.
Queen Camilla has been leading the royal family in recent months, taking more and more of her own trips that were once the responsibility of her husband.
Although Prince William continues to work on projects such as “Earthshot” and “Homewards,” he is likely to limit his travels in order to stay close to home and preserve some kind of normal family life.
It is unclear how members of the royal family will participate in upcoming key dates in the royal calendar, such as Trooping the Color in June, or when the king will return to royal duties.
