The best medicine for Charles? Long walks at Birkhall, an end to his ban on ... trends now
Sitting on a bench in an eco-sanctuary, Charles is inspecting a reptile squatting in his hands. The world's media surrounds him. But a passing bumblebee fancies some of the global limelight. It lands on Charles's lap – perilously close to the then Prince's crown jewels, causing an understandable yelp of concern.
It's a PR pratfall that would keep plenty of royal press secretaries awake at night. But sat next to Charles is Camilla, a past master in defusing many a princely timebomb, using the best tool at her disposal: humour.
The then Duchess of Cornwall is consumed with giggles and the laughter proves infectious, spreading among the photographers and reporters and finally to Charles – and in the hubbub the bee buzzes off.
An inconsequential vignette from a 2015 royal tour perhaps, but one that reflects an essential facet of the King and Queen's relationship and how they cope with problems large or small.
Deprived of glad royal tidings of late, the news that the King is returning to public duties came as much-needed balm, both to the hurting House of Windsor and the nation.
At Charles side is Camilla, a master of defusing many a timebomb with the best tool at her disposal: humour
The King and Queen Camilla will visit a csncer treatment centre on Tuesday, and the pair plan to host a State Visit of Japan in late Jute
After treatment for an unspecified cancer, the King, on doctors' advice, can attend events where he will meet people both indoors and outdoors. He and Camilla will visit a cancer treatment centre on Tuesday, while a State Visit from Japan is planned for late June.
It will not be 'a full summer programme', but doctors are 'sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far' and 'remain positive'.
To mark the announcement, Buckingham Palace issued a new photograph of the King and Queen, arms entwined and grins wide, taken in the palace's garden the morning after their 19th wedding anniversary this month.
If an ebullient picture could paint a thousand words... for it is the monarch, eyes crinkling, looking longingly at his consort, rather than the other way around.
Camilla, meanwhile, holds her gaze outward, to the photographer, symbolically encapsulating the duel roles Her Majesty has played over the past few months. At 76, she has taken on more than a dozen extra engagements to keep the royal show on the road.
But it is the support she's offered her husband in private moments of anguish that could prove a greater gift to the King – and the Firm.
Nobody can chase away shadows – and bees – like the Queen, whose unerring knack of summoning the right quip at the right time never fails to lift her gloom-prone husband. Sometimes all that's needed to set him off is a wry smile. She finds humour everywhere.
True, the King has drawn comfort from other sources – steadfast public support, for instance. But as a source says: 'Laughter is the key. They've got a very strong bond and a fantastic sense of humour.'
Since their early courtship, insiders say Camilla has been adept at 'keeping his spirits up', and – as noted by Mail writer and royal biographer Robert Hardman – has continued to 'inject a remedial note of levity' over the years.
Delighted photographers have captured the pair in giggles on several occasions.
In 2010, the couple laughed uncontrollably during an eccentric performance featuring a 'cat organ' at a festival in the gardens of Clarence House.
Although Charles will not have a 'full summer programme', doctors are pleased with the progress he has made so far since his cancer treatment
The black-tied musician before them squeezed a row of toy cats, each emitting squeaks of varying pitches – and all a helpless Charles could do was to dab his eyes.
Insiders also fondly remember Camilla's cheeky interjection at last year's Sandringham Flower Show, when she broke out in peals of laughter while examining a selection of pies.
'That looks just like my husband,' she joked, beckoning aides towards an anthropomorphic bake with oversized ears and a crown.
Not satisfied, Camilla pulled the King away from a serious chat with the show chairman to see 'a very, very nice pastry'. As anticipated, Charles guffawed loudly. 'It's an artwork, I think,' he said.
That first summer as King and Queen seems a world away from the events that would befall the Windsors. Following treatment for an enlarged prostate in January, the following month's announcement that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and had started 'regular treatments' shocked the nation.
While a veil of privacy has been drawn over the King – and the Princess of Wales who is also undergoing cancer treatment – a brief window into the King's progress was provided when he attended church at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Easter Sunday.
Typically, Camilla kept close as he greeted crowds and laughed when a fan shouted out 'Camilla is 17 now' – causing momentary confusion, before she pointed to her pet Cavalier. Knowing his wife would see the funny side, Charles retorted: 'You'll need a new one!'
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