THE KING SUPPORTED BY THE PRINCESS ROYAL AND THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH TAKES TIME OUT FROM HIS CANCER TREATMENT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO BRITISH VETERANS OF THE KOREAN WAR

Continuing to carry out his Iduties through his cancer treatment, the King welcomed four Korean War veterans to Buckingham Palace last week.

- EMILY NASH

His Majesty joined Alan Guy, Mike Mogridge, Brian Parritt and Ronald Yardley in the 18th Century Room ahead of a reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice ending the fighting.

And it was a family affair, as the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Edinburgh also hosted around 200 veterans in the Bow Room.

The King has been advised by his medical team to avoid large gatherings, but is keen to do what he can and spoke to the four former servicemen before they joined the gathering.

Around 60,000 British troops and another 50,000 from the Commonwealth served during the three-year conflict, which ended with the armistice on 27 July 1953.

More than 1,100 British soldiers lost their lives and another 2,500 were wounded as they helped defend South Korea from invading North Korean troops.

MESSAGE OF THANKS 

In a speech delivered on her brother's behalf, Princess Anne shared his reflections on what has been called the "Forgotten War".