Delight at sight of smiling King

The monarch, 75, dressed in his signature long, brown coat and using an umbrella as a walking stick, showed no outward sign of the stresses and strains of treatment.

- Giles Sheldrick

KING Charles gave a cheery wave and a smile in his first public outing since the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.

The monarch greeted crowds of wellwishers as he headed to Sunday worship at Sandringham yesterday alongside his wife Queen Camilla.

Sources close to His Majesty claim he is "keen to be seen" as he undergoes treatment for an undisclosed cancer.

The 11am service was his first major appearance since he went public with his shock diagnosis last Monday, a move that drew universal praise and a flood of supportive messages.

On a brisk but short walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk royal estate, the King smiled and waved to some 100 well-wishers before being greeted by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Williams.

The royal couple acknowledged the crowd again when they emerged about an hour later.

Andy Frost, 48, from Cromer in Norfolk, said: "The King didn't look too bad when you think of what he has been going through. He was walking very well.