A hug for the niece! Smiling King Charles is embraced by Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show just days after monarch returned to official public duties following cancer diagnosis

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  • Third event for King this week after his return to duties at hospital on Tuesday
  • He was also shown the Coronation Roll on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace 

Zara Tindall gave her Uncle Charles a big hug today as the King made a surprise appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show while his cancer treatment continues.

Zara beamed as she saw Charles at the event in Berkshire during what was his third engagement in four days – while the monarch also looked delighted and smiled happily as he spoke to officials while sheltering under umbrellas in the pouring rain.

The monarch was present for the third day of the event, which his late mother Queen Elizabeth II also often attended as a spectator. It comes just three days after Charles visited hospital patients in London upon his return to public-facing royal duties.

Other royals also attended the show yesterday including Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, and Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

The King’s trip to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on Tuesday with his wife Queen Camilla – who was not at the horse show today – came as his treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer continues, having begun in February.

In another engagement on Wednesday, Charles viewed his Coronation Roll at Buckingham Palace in what was his second public-facing event since his diagnosis.

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III hugs his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III hugs his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III hugs his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III hugs his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning 

Zara Tindall speaks with King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall speaks with King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall gives her uncle King Charles a hug at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III and Zara Tindall at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall and King Charles III speak at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Zara Tindall and King Charles III speak at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III and his niece Zara Tindall at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

His appearance and cheerful demeanour at both events indicates the positive progress he is making after almost three months of cancer care as an outpatient.

READ MORE Lionel Richie says his friend King Charles is ‘doing fantastic’ but ‘needs to sit still’ as he continues his cancer treatment

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Charles’s diary of forthcoming events will not be a full summer programme, and attendance will be announced nearer the time and ‘subject to doctors’ advice’, with ‘adaptations made where necessary to minimise risk’ to the King’s recovery.

It is understood the warmer weather would allow events to be staged outside and lessen the risk posed by other people that many cancer patients face.

At the hospital on Tuesday, the King spoke of his ‘shock’ at being diagnosed with cancer as he met fellow patients on his return to public-facing duties.

Charles candidly described the experience of being told he had the disease, as he learned about the latest treatments and chat to staff providing the pioneering care.

He also reassured those who asked about the state of his health, saying: ‘I’m well.’

The King, who looked relaxed and in good spirits, was joined on the visit by Camilla, and went on impromptu walkabouts, meeting staff who had stopped to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

King Charles III smiles as he arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today

King Charles III smiles as he arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today

King Charles smiles as he is shown a course map during the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles smiles as he is shown a course map during the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III walks under umbrellas held for him at the wet Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III walks under umbrellas held for him at the wet Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles III arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III arrives at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles smiles as he is shown a course map during the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles smiles as he is shown a course map during the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III walks in the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in the rain this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III during the endurance phase at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

King Charles III attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

The visit was marked by Charles being named as the new patron of Cancer Research UK, which will sit alongside his patronage of Macmillan Cancer Support.

READ MORE King Charles and Queen Camilla receive their Coronation Roll

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Then on Wednesday, Charles held his second public-facing event since his diagnosis to view the Coronation Roll, which is the official record of his crowning.

He told those who created the historic document that ‘you deserve a very stiff drink’. Charles viewed the roll with Camilla, and marvelled at the handwritten and lavishly decorated artefact.

The head of state told heraldic artist Tim Noad and calligrapher Stephanie Gill, who said she worked 56 consecutive days writing the roll, ‘Thank you very much, I cannot tell you how grateful I am’.

The document follows a centuries-old tradition of creating a handwritten record of a monarch’s coronation, but is the first to use paper, not the usual animal skin, reflecting the animal welfare views of the King.

People use umbrellas to shield from the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

People use umbrellas to shield from the rain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

Motorsport legend Jackie Stewart smiles as he attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Motorsport legend Jackie Stewart smiles as he attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Spectators shield from the rain beneath umbrellas at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Spectators shield from the rain beneath umbrellas at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today

Jackie Stewart
Jackie Stewart

Jackie Stewart adjusts his tie as he attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show this morning

A very wet day at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today as people walk around the retail area

A very wet day at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today as people walk around the retail area

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today 

An attendee at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

An attendee at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Competitors at day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Attendees at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire hold umbrellas in the rain today

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Wet conditions at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire this morning

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire today amid the heavy rain

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden joined the presentation and the royal party were shown the digital version of the roll with added features like photographs and video, and the King and Queen watched a recording of their procession into Westminster Abbey on May 6 last year.

At the end of the presentation the King and Queen were shown Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation roll and those created for the crowing of Queen Victoria, William, Mary and Edward II.

Also this week, Lionel Richie revealed that his friend Charles is ‘doing fantastic’ during his treatment.

The 74-year-old singer, who has been friends with the King since the 1980s after meeting through what was the Prince’s Trust, also described Charles as ‘doing well’.

YESTERDAY - Prince Edward and Sophie smile during day two of the Royal Windsor Horse Show

YESTERDAY – Prince Edward and Sophie smile during day two of the Royal Windsor Horse Show

YESTERDAY - Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at Royal Windsor Horse Show

YESTERDAY – Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at Royal Windsor Horse Show

WEDNESDAY - Charles and Camilla are shown the Coronation Roll at Buckingham Palace

WEDNESDAY – Charles and Camilla are shown the Coronation Roll at Buckingham Palace 

TUESDAY - Charles and Camilla visit UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre in London on Tuesday

TUESDAY – Charles and Camilla visit UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre in London on Tuesday

Speaking at the inaugural King’s Trust Global Gala in New York last night, Richie told People: ‘Happily I can say, he is doing fantastic. Again, I understand, he needs to sit still, you know what I’m saying. The most important part is he is doing well.

‘He’s back to his duties and so therefore, I wouldn’t want the first thing for him to do is come over – let’s not prove anything here.’

Richie also joked that he was expecting a phone call from the King after the event at Cipriani South Street, saying: ‘Believe me, my question [from Charles] now is, ‘How was it?’ After I finish tonight, I’m gonna get that call saying, ‘Well, how was it?’.’ 

The singer has met Charles at various charity events over the decades, and spoke about their friendship ahead of his performance in the Coronation Concert last May.