The King, despite his ongoing battle with cancer, fulfilled his duties on Tuesday morning by holding an in-person pre-budget audience with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace.
Typically, before the Budget is presented, the Chancellor meets with the monarch, usually the day before the Government’s economic plans are presented to the Commons.
This time, the audience was photographed, showing the King shaking hands with Mr. Hunt in the Private Audience Room of the royal residence. Dressed in a blue suit and pale tie, the King appeared in good spirits, smiling broadly as he welcomed Mr. Hunt.
The slimmed-down monarchy has been under increasing pressure to remain visible, particularly with conspiracy theories circulating on social media about the health of the Princess of Wales.
Tickets have gone on sale for the first major engagements announced for both the King and Kate since her abdominal surgery. The Ministry of Defence announced that the King would attend the main Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15, while the princess would review Trooping the Colour the week before on June 8.
Organisers are remaining flexible in their planning for major royal events in case of any changes.
Kate, who is reportedly doing well, was seen for the first time since Christmas in paparazzi photographs published on TMZ, wearing dark sunglasses and being driven by her mother Carole Middleton. She is not expected back on official duties until after Easter.
Charles, who began cancer treatment in February, has postponed all public-facing engagements. The Queen is reportedly taking a break this week on an overseas holiday, continuing with her duties since the King’s diagnosis.
The King, who ascended to the throne 18 months ago, has faced challenges, including a hospital stay for a procedure on an enlarged prostate, during which his cancer was discovered.
The royal family is also grieving the sudden death of Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston. Mr. Kingston, 45, died from a “catastrophic head injury” at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds, where a gun was found near his body.
Mr. Hunt is preparing to deliver his Budget on Wednesday, hinting at a potential national insurance or income tax cut as part of a move towards a “lower tax economy” ahead of a possible election.
