ROBERT HARDMAN: When Charles wears his T-Rex tie, you know he has a spring in ... trends now
His tie said it all. It has been a favourite since he became King, appearing on away days, at Palace receptions and even a trip to church.
Featuring a blue dinosaur pattern on a pink silk background, it is a cheeky play on his official 'Charles III Rex' cypher. Staff know that when 'C-Rex' is wearing his 'T-Rex' tie, he probably has a spring in his step.
And so it was as the King came to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at London's University College Hospital to mark his cautious return to regular public duties for the first time since his own diagnosis in February.
Officials point out that, for now, he is still undergoing treatment. However, he was keen to ram home the point that having cancer need not be a lonely ordeal, nor should it preclude a return to work.
Indeed, for some — himself included — that can be a form of therapy in itself. The fact that his doctors had given the green light to this event points to a much busier royal summer than the one we envisaged a few weeks ago.
His tie said it all. It has been a favourite since he became King, appearing on away days, at Palace receptions and even a trip to church (Pictured: Charles on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on April 30)
Featuring a blue dinosaur pattern on a pink silk background, it is a cheeky play on his official 'Charles III Rex' cypher. Staff know that when 'C-Rex' is wearing his 'T-Rex' tie, he probably has a spring in his step
And so it was as the King came to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at London's University College Hospital (pictured) to mark his cautious return to regular public duties for the first time since his own diagnosis in February
It was also noteworthy how tactile he was, shaking hands and then holding on to them, with both palms, in an extra show of reassurance. The presence of Queen Camilla always lifts the mood, as did the response of Londoners going about their business while the State Bentley cruised through the capital.
One member of the entourage later described the 'heartwarming' response, as people realised exactly who was following behind a pair of police outriders.
Visiting heads of state and politicians might insist on tinted glass and speed.
The King and Queen, who prefer plain glass, had obviously made it clear that they were happy tootling along at London's regulation snail's pace and were delighted by the number of people stopping to wave.
As the car passed through Mayfair, two removal men
