King Charles and Queen Camilla look happy and relaxed in new portrait released by Palace after being taken on their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month

King Charles and Queen Camilla look happy and relaxed in a new portrait released by the Palace, after it was taken on their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month.

Arm in arm with his strength and stay, the monarch smiled broadly as he walked through the blossoming Buckingham Palace gardens linked with his wife.

Wearing a pale grey suit paired with a floral tie, Charles, 75, looked lovingly across at Camilla, 76, who was wearing a flowing blue gown.

Donning royal blue neckwear dotted with white flowers in an outfit choice that matched his wife's dress, the recycling monarch appeared to be reusing the same tie that he had worn for his momentous first Christmas Broadcast as monarch in 2022.

The intimate photograph of the pair comes as the King has been given permission by doctors to return to public-facing duties after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Taken on a bright spring day, royal fans will be relieved to see their King walking confidently as he leads the Queen through the manicured lawns following months following months of her showing her steadfast dedication following his diagnosis. 

In a statement Buckingham Palace said tonight: ‘His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.

Arm in arm with his strength and stay, the monarch smiled broadly as he walked linked with his wife through the blossoming Buckingham Palace gardens

The celebratory photograph comes as the King has been given permission by doctors to return to public-facing duties after being diagnosed with cancer. Pictured: On April 21

Officials released the intimate portrait of Charles and Camilla looking happy and relaxed, which was taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary earlier this month. Pictured: Their wedding photograph in 2005

It appeared to be the same tie that the recycling monarch had worn for his momentous first Christmas Broadcast as Monarch in 2022

‘To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients. This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.

‘In addition, The King and Queen will host Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan for a State Visit in June, at the request of HM Government.

‘As the first anniversary of The Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year.’

In Charles' absence earlier this year, Queen Camilla proved her metal as she stepped up to lead the Royal Family.

In February, she was the most senior royal at the event for the late King Constantine of Greece, where royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Camilla confirmed herself as her 'husband's rock' and 'exuded confidence'.

It came amid a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and William's wife Kate both went into hospital around the same time in January, before Kate too was diagnosed with cancer. 

Asked how he was feeling, a spokesman said: ‘His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.’ 

Like Prince Phillip was for the late Queen Elizabeth, Camilla was even dubbed the King's 'strength and stay' by a palace insider following his cancer diagnosis.

King Charles is driven from Clarence House in central London on April 16

In Charles' absence earlier this year, Queen Camilla proved her metal as she stepped up to lead the Royal Family. Pictured: With Princess Anne, Queen Anne Marie of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece as they depart the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine

In February, she was the most senior royal at the event for the late King Constantine of Greece, where royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Camilla confirmed herself as her 'husband's rock' and 'exuded confidence'

The source told PEOPLE that the 76-year-old will 'buoy' Charles, 75, throughout his cancer treatment.

'She is his strength and stay like [Prince Philip] was for the late Queen. She will be great. She will rally him, she will buoy him. She is amazing. She equips him to do the job he has to do,' said the insider. 

During her first public engagement since his diagnosis was announced, Camilla said the King was 'doing extremely well under the circumstances'. 

And in late March she said he was 'doing very well', adding that he was 'disappointed' to miss out on the trip to Northern Ireland.

His Majesty is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but his medical team are understood to be ‘pleased with the progress made so far’ and ‘remain positive’ about his recovery.

The King even took part in an Easter walkabout as he shook hands with dozens of people who lined up outside Windsor's St George's Chapel in late March.

One royal fan leaned over to tell Charles: 'Happy Easter your Majesty - keep going strong and never give in'. Others were heard saying 'nice to see you' and asking the monarch 'how are you' as Charles and Queen Camilla walked by.

To mark the good news Buckingham Palace have also announced two major milestone events, the first of many in the coming months, and passed on Their Majesties grateful thanks for all the good wishes they have received.

Like Prince Phillip was for the late Queen Elizabeth, Camilla was even dubbed the King's 'strength and stay' by a palace insider following his cancer diagnosis. Pictured: On March 31

Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in late March

On Tuesday the King and Queen will visit a cancer treatment centre - a deeply poignant engagement given his own cancer battle as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales - where they will meet medical specialists and patients.

There are also plans to host an incoming state visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June at the request of the government.

The King’s health crisis first became public in January when it was announced that he was going into hospital for surgery on an enlarged prostate.

He remained in The London Clinic for three days.

At the time it thought that the condition was not cancerous, but in February it was revealed subsequent tests had discovered presence of the disease elsewhere in his body.

Buckingham Palace have not revealed the nature of the cancer or details of the treatment he immediately began to receive.

Officials have stressed that His Majesty’s treatment for cancer is still ongoing, saying: ‘His Majesty’s treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public facing duties. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.’

They are not able, at this stage, to specify how long it will continue. A spokesman said: ‘It is too early to say, but His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King’s continued recovery.’

The King even took part in an Easter walkabout as he shook hands with dozens of people who lined up outside Windsor's St George's Chapel in late March

One royal fan leaned over to tell Charles: 'Happy Easter your Majesty - keep going strong and never give in'. Others were heard saying 'nice to see you' and asking the monarch 'how are you' as Charles and Queen Camilla walked by

They added that ‘any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way, and will remain subject to doctors’ advice’ and stressed that it would not be a ‘full summer programme’.

The Daily Mail has already exclusively revealed that planning is already underway for him to attend his official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, as well as Royal Ascot and the summer garden parties.

It is unclear yet whether he will be able to travel to Normandy in June for the major D-Day anniversary commemorations or to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa as planned in October, but it is understood that the King is keen to if his health allows.

A spokesman added today: ‘Planning continues for ways in which Their Majesties may attend such Summer and Autumn engagements, though nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this stage. 

All future plans remain subject to doctors’ advice nearer the time, with appropriate adaptations made where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.’

His duties will include both indoors and outdoors engagements, designed to minimise any health risks to him - such as picking up a cold or other bugs - while his health is compromised.

It is understood that each engagement will be reviewed carefully and managed to receive any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.

It is understood that the King is ‘looking forward’ to hosting June’s Japanese state visit, but planning remains fluid as doctors continue to monitor the King’s health.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on February 18

The Daily Mail has already exclusively revealed that planning is already underway for him to attend his official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, as well as Royal Ascot and the summer garden parties

In a separate statement, the palace said: ‘Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom in late June 2024.’

The visit had previously been scheduled in spring 20202 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The King has visited Japan on five occasions as The Prince of Wales including the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, in 2019 and Emperor Akihito in 1990 and visited on three other occasions, in 2008, 1986 and 1970.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan attended the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. This was Their Majesties’ first overseas trip after The Emperor's enthronement.

The Emperor of Japan also attended the reception hosted by The King for Heads of State and Official Overseas Guests at Buckingham Palace on 18th September 2022, on the evening before the State Funeral.

Open Tuesday The King, who is patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, will visit an undisclosed cancer treatment centre accompanied by Queen Camilla to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, after his own experiences, as well highlight innovative research supported by Cancer Research UK.