King's cancer treatment is going in 'positive direction' with hospital visit a 'minimal interruption to normal service

THE King is made of "tough stuff" and won't let this week's hospital admission get him down, royal experts insisted last night.

- By Emily Ferguson

Just one day after he was taken to the London Clinic suffering from temporary side-effects of his cancer treatment, Charles appeared in good spirits as he was driven from Clarence House to his rural bolt-hole of Highgrove yesterday.

With the window of his black Audi opened half-way, the 76-year-old monarch smiled and waved at well-wishers gathered outside his London home.

Insiders say that after having to cancel yesterday's engagements in Birmingham as a precautionary measure, Charles is desperate to get back to his normal, busy schedule.

But first he will spend this weekend recuperating privately at his Gloucestershire estate. His stoic attitude is likely influenced by those of his late parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, said veteran royal commentator Phil Dampier.

"He has inherited from them a determination and a toughness and an attitude from his father to deal with these things to get on with it and make the best of it.

Surgery

"And I'm sure that with Camilla's support, she's enabled him to do that.

"He is made of tough stuff and won't let this get him down."