HAPPY...& GLORIOUS

Cancer-hit King returns to duties |  Docs 'encouraged' by his progress

- LUCY THORNTON and RUSSELL MYERS

THE King will mark his return to public duties with a visit to a cancer centre, as he makes encouraging progress in his own battle with the disease.

Buckingham Palace said the visit on Tuesday with the Queen will kick off several engagements.

This could include a state visit by the ruler of Japan in a few weeks' time and also the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

And sources revealed the King is itching to return to "what he loves" - meeting the public. To mark the news, officials released a touching photograph of Charles, 75, gazing at Camilla, 76.

And in a statement to lift royal fans, the Palace said yesterday: "His Majesty's medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about his continued recovery.

"His treatment will continue but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress that he is able to resume a number of public-facing duties." Sources stressed the King will still be treated for his cancer and added it was "too early to say" how long that will go on for.