Smiling King Charles says he’s glad to be ‘out my cage’ as he attends first military…

9 May 2024, 15:34 | Updated: 9 May 2024, 15:37

King Charles quipped he was glad to be ‘out my cage’ as visited an Army training base in his first military engagement since returning to public-facing duties.

The King, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Engineers, was pictured all smiles as he met with military staff and their families at a training base for the Army’s Royal Engineers on Thursday.

He was visiting the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering in Minley, Surrey before later speaking to members of the 8 Engineer Brigade, which is the centre’s deployable unit.

Pictured in a grey suit, Charles beamed as he met with groups of engineers and their families where he learned about their experiences training at the school and the support they receive from their loved ones.

The King apologised to the Army during the visit due to the trip being arranged at the last minute.

As he was led into the officers’ mess by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Grant, the King said to him: “I do apologise for taking you by surprise, when this opportunity appeared and I had been allowed out of my cage, I wanted to come to have a look.”

Lt Col Grant said of the event: “We only had six days to pull this together but the only answer from us was ‘yes’.

“There was a palpable sense of excitement as you saw the units spark into life for the visit.”

The King also spoke with Natalie Newman, the wife of Corporal Joseph Newman, when she told him that they had three children.

Charles told her: “Nothing a strong drink won’t help.”

Mrs Newman, 34, said of their conversation: “It was amazing, nerve-wracking, but amazing.

“I just said how many children I had, I said I had three children, and he said ‘It was nothing a strong drink won’t help’.

“He was really funny, he appeared absolutely fine and upbeat.”

It comes after Buckingham Palace’s announcement that Charles would be returning to some public-facing duties amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

It is thought the King has been receiving his treatment as an outpatient midweek.

Meanwhile, Prince William also turned out for a royal engagement on Thursday, as he arrived at Newquay, where his Duchy of Cornwall has been building its first ever housing project to help combat homelessness in Nansledan.

William, also known as the Duke of Cornwall, was pictured smiling as he was shown plans for the housing project and met with those working on the team.

Read more: Prince Harry backed by Diana’s family at Invictus Games service after being snubbed by King twice during UK visit

Read more: Prince Harry snubbed by King Charles for second time as he makes Prince William Colonel in Chief of his old regiment

Queen Camilla also attended a royal engagement on Thursday, as she hosted a reception for a “remarkable” equine welfare charity at Buckingham Palace.

On Wednesday, Charles hosted the first garden party of the season, which was also attended by the Queen, Princes Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The King and Prince William’s attendance at different royal engagements comes after Prince Harry’s brief stop in the UK to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Harry joined a congregation of around a thousand inside the London landmark where he gave a Bible reading.

Despite Harry’s brief stop in the UK, it was revealed earlier this week that the King was too busy to see the Duke of Sussex during his return to the country.

There was speculation that Harry may meet with the King during his short trip back home his father the King, but Charles’s “full programme” reportedly meant the get-together could not happen.

The pair last met soon after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February, with Harry rushing from the US to see his father.

A spokesperson for Harry said: “In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”