King Charles was all smiles today as he made his return to a major investiture at Windsor Castle.
The monarch appeared to be in good spirits as he greeted 52 recipients one by one, during what is his first investiture ceremony in five months and his first since being diagnosed with cancer in February.
Among the people honoured today was the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who described last year’s Coronation as “deeply moving” as he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) for his key role in the event.
Awards of the Royal Victorian Order are in the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.
Mr Welby told the PA news agency that Charles seemed in “very good spirits indeed” and was “looking very well” as they spoke during the ceremony.
Dean of Westminster Abbey Dr David Hoyle was also honoured, as he was made a Knight Commander for his own role in the Coronation.
Dr Hoyle recalled of the Coronation: “It was the biggest privilege of my life, without a doubt.”
Charles was given permission by his doctors to return to public duties last month.
Today’s engagement is the latest in a number of public-facing duties the King has undertaken in recent days.
He officially handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to the Prince of Wales in a joint engagement on Monday, while he also hosted the first garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday.
During yesterday’s engagement at the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop, the monarch said his final visit to the Army Air Corps as Colonel-in-Chief was “tinged with sadness” but joked that the regiment will be left in safe hands.
In an emotional speech, Charles thanked the military and said it was a “great joy to be with you, even briefly, on this occasion.”
He added the ceremony was a bittersweet moment for him after “32 years of knowing you all and admiring all your many activities and achievements throughout the time that I was lucky enough to be Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps.”
But he stayed true to his character as he later joked about handing over the title to Prince William.
King Charles said: “All I can say is that having had the pleasure of knowing you so long, I do hope that you go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief, the great thing is that he’s a great pilot indeed, so that’s encouraging.”
Elsewhere, he commented on the “loss of taste” when undergoing cancer treatment while speaking to veteran Aaron Mappleback during a visit to The Army Flying Museum.