OFFICIAL NEW PORTRAIT THE KING AND QUEEN A TENDER LOOK OF LOVE FOR THE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN HIS ROCK

With an expression full of love and affection as he gazes at the woman who is his comfort, soulmate and steadfast support, the King smiles in the spring sunshine while they enjoy a stroll around the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

This heart-warming new photo of Their Majesties, taken by Millie Pilkington on 10 April - the day after their 19th wedding anniversary shows the monarch in a grey suit and blue floral tie and the Queen, elegant in an indigo Fiona Clare dress, beaming with happiness.

It was released last Friday, along with the good news that the King is returning to public duties after weeks of treatment for cancer.

Buckingham Palace added that His Majesty's medical team was "very encouraged" by his progress and "remain positive".

Fittingly, he will mark his milestone this week with a visit to a cancer treatment centre.

Accompanied by the Queen, the King will meet patients and medical specialists at the facility on Tuesday, in his first public-facing engagement since his diagnosis, which was shared with the world on 5 February.

The King is a long-standing supporter of cancer charities, including being patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, and hopes that his visit will raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight some of the innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK, that is taking place.

ONE YEAR ON...

As well as his return to public-facing engagements, the King and Queen are preparing to celebrate another milestone next week, when they will mark one year since they were crowned at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.

A Palace spokesman said: "As the first anniversary of the coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.

"His Majesty's treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties.