The King has been released from hospital after successful treatment for an enlarged prostate.
.jpg)
The King and Queen were photographed walking to their car as they departed the London Clinic after Charles had been treated in the same hospital as his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales.
The pair, dressed smartly and beaming, waved to well-wishers outside the hospital at 3pm. As he left, the King was heard to say that he was "grateful for everyone's kind wishes", thanking the crowd that had gathered outside.
He has been in hospital for three nights, longer than the overnight stay initially expected. Aides have emphasized his determination to work from home, continuing with his red boxes and even mooting the idea of bringing paperwork to his bed.
It is understood he will require around a month off public engagements – the longest he has been off duty as monarch.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.
"He would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days."
The 75-year-old has generally enjoyed good health, other than sporting injuries as a younger man. In 2008, he had a non-cancerous growth removed from the bridge of his nose in a minor, routine procedure, and underwent a hernia operation in 2003.