King Charles live updates: Monarch meets cancer patients on return to public engagements

Buckingham Palace has already said the pace of the King’s return to public duties will be “carefully calibrated”.

No one wants to put his health in jeopardy.

Throughout his cancer treatment, the King has held private meetings as head of state and completed official paperwork, but this hospital visit today is his first major public engagement mixing with lots of people.

Some types of cancer therapy can leave people at higher risk of catching infections.

Any necessary precautions around his visit – for the King and the patients in the hospital – will have been fully considered ahead of time.

We don’t know what treatment the King is receiving, as that’s private and confidential patient information.

But today he is smiling and shaking hands with staff.

And Buckingham Palace has said “it is too early to say” how long the King’s treatment will last.

His Majesty’s medical team is “very encouraged” about his continued recovery and his doctors have been “sufficiently pleased” with progress made so far.

Some of his commitments will be adapted, if needed, “to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery”.