Royal news latest: Smiling King Charles seen for first time since suffering side effects from cancer treatment

A large crowd, including members of the public and photographers, watched as Charles was driven out of Clarence House at around 10.30am.

Sat in the back of a black Audi, he waved down the window, smiled and waved at well-wishers as he left his London residence.

Moments earlier the Princess Royal was driven out of the residence in a black Bentley.

Tourists have expressed their “relief” after seeing the King looking well as he was driven past on his way out of Clarence House.

Julian Mati, 34, said: “We were horrified when we heard the news yesterday.

“We had come down to the palace today to take pictures but we never imagined we would see the King.

“To see him smiling and waving, it’s such a relief.”

The King was being driven to Highgrove, his Gloucestershire residence, when he was spotted earlier in the first public sighting since his hospital visit.

Charles was said to be on good form at Clarence House, his London home, last night, working on state papers and making calls from his study and it is likely he will continue with official paperwork while at Highgrove.

It comes after he cleared his diary to prioritise his recovery as a precaution following temporary side effects from his cancer treatment.

Sources have stressed the King’s visit to the London Clinic on Thursday was not a major development and no further updates are expected on his health.

Any minor alterations to Charles’ diary that may be required next week will be announced in due course, they added.

It is understood that the historic state visit to Italy that the King is due to make in 10 days’ time is expected to go ahead as planned.

Charles is set to become the first British sovereign to address both houses of the Italian parliament during the overseas tour with the Queen, which will last from 7-10 April.

Earlier this week, the King thanked journalists working in local media for shining “a light in dark corners” – even though they don’t “always get it right”.

Charles praised the regional press for its “vital role” in society in a time when “too much focus is given to that which divides us”.

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Charles, who is known for being a workaholic, is said to have thrived on carrying out public and state duties in recent months, seeing them as being of great benefit to his overall wellbeing.

Here are the King’s most high-profile official engagements from the last two weeks: