Beaming Charles applauded by cheering crowds as he takes to the stage at special gala after ‘supercharging’ royal diary
KING Charles beamed as he stood on stage in front of cheering crowds last night – just hours after Queen Camilla gave an update on his health.
The Monarch, 75, was the special guest at a gala being hosted at London’s Royal Opera House and was all smiles as he chatted away to performers.
Charles’ appearance comes after palace sources said he was working on “supercharging his diary” as he returned to public duties.
Donning a bow tie, the King looked dapper as he shook hands with English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano.
The event was a big party for the music director, who was celebrating his 22 years at the Royal Opera House.
The King stepped out on stage with a smile ear-to-ear, cheering as he stood alongside the conductor.
The crowd stood and applauded the royal, too.
Charles then met with performers backstage and could be heard praising them as he shook their hands with a smile.
The royal asked one: “And you’re keeping alright?”
To which the man said: “Yes, you?”
The King says “I’m not too bad” before breaking into a massive smile and cracking a joke.
Sir Antonio said after the Monarch left: “He was just so generous in his praise, and genuinely so, and that means everything, he loves music.
“He knighted me, and I’ve done several events at Buckingham Palace over the years where he’s been the engine for those things, and of course I conducted at the coronation, so we’ve done quite a few events.”
The King was spotted just hours after his wife told crowds he was “getting better”, before joking “well, he would be if he behaved himself”.
Camilla, 76, made the remark while with guests at a garden party in Rye, East Sussex today.
There she was treated to a performance by actors Timothy West, 89, and Hayley Mills, 78, while sat alongside Prunella Scales, 91.
She added that her husband, the King, was “quite cross” he could not be there.
Charles has recently returned to public duties following his cancer diagnosis after demanding aides “supercharge” his diary saying he was “raring to go”.
The Sun has also previously revealed Camilla had urged Charles to “slow down” amid his health scares this year.
Just yesterday the King was pulled in for a chat by Love Island host Maya Jama at a Buckingham Palace bash.
The pair coupled up on the lawn as the royals threw a garden party for stars from the world of entertainment including Sirs Ridley Scott and Lenny Henry.
The King's Future Enagements
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia
Among the 4,000 guests who mingled with the King, 75, and Queen, 76, included Strictly star Tess Daly, 55, and her husband Vernon Kay, 50.
Maya, 29, in a checked blue dress and matching wide-brimmed hat, said to the King: “I present Love Island, but I don’t suppose you’ve heard of that.”
The King gave a diplomatic gentle shrug and continued talking to his glam guest, saying: “There’s one born every minute.”
Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh, 60 and the Duchess of Gloucester, 77, also brought royal stardust to the second garden party of the year.
And for the King, 75, who revealed only three months ago he has cancer, it was his fifth public engagement in three days.
Earlier he had been joined by the Queen, 76, both wearing pink robes, attended a Service for the Order of the British Empire at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Charles beamed on Tuesday as he unveiled his first official portrait since his coronation last year.
The painting is by Jonathan Yeo who is known for portraits of Paris Hilton, Grayson Perry, and Cara Delevingne.
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as King had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia
Yeo was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022.
The portrait depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975.
The canvas size – approximately 8 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside.
Jonathan Yeo had four sittings with The King, beginning when His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House.
The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House.
Yeo also worked from drawings and photography he took of His Majesty, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings.
Yeo said: “It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers’ Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his Coronation.
“When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I’ve painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject’s role in our public life has transformed.
“I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter’s face.
“In this case, my aim was also to make reference to the traditions of Royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century Monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject’s deep humanity.
“I’m unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.”