27 April 2024 , 10:43
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With King Charles undergoing treatment for cancer, when his 19th wedding anniversary to Queen Camilla rolled around, it was a low-key occasion - but the couple took the opportunity to mark another huge landmark.
Buckingham Palace has announced that Charles will be returning "to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis" and the significant update was accompanied by a sweet photograph of Charles and Camilla on their anniversary.
Snapped by Millie Pilkington, Camilla is seen smiling widely and wearing an indigo day dress with velvet detailing by Fiona Clare, and holding onto Charles' arm. Whilst the monarch, looking smart in a light grey suit, pink shirt, and blue tie, looks adoringly down at his wife.
Former royal butler, Grant Harrold, expressed ahead of the King and Queen's 19th wedding anniversary, that the occasion would likely be an "emotional" one this year, and one that the couple would be celebrating privately. Harrold was in attendance when the King and Queen tied the knot back in 2005 and bore witness to the couple's happy ending to a controversial love story that has spanned decades.
Millie Pilkington took this candid picture of Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace (PA)"I can't believe it's 19 years this year. I was there that day, in the church. They'll celebrate it, but they're not big [on celebrations]. They don't have parties or anything like that at all," the former royal butler explained previously. "I'm sure this year will be a bit more poignant and probably a bit emotional with everything going on," the expert added, speaking on behalf of Slingo.
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"I have no doubt they'll be together for the occasion, and I'm sure behind closed doors, they'll probably have a romantic dinner with just the two of them. With the King's treatment, he might not have any other people there, so it is likely to be private between the two of them."
Charles and Camilla married in 2005 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Whilst Charles has been away from public duties as he underwent treatment for cancer, Queen Camilla has been holding down the fort for the monarch - conducting engagements that were initially intended to be attended jointly solo, and leading the Royal Family at set-piece events like the annual Commonwealth Day Service.
Charles' medical team is "sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties" a palace spokesperson has said, but his diary will be managed on a case-by-case basis going forward, with adaptions made where necessary as his "treatment programme will continue".
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