King Charles Details How He Felt Upon Receiving His Cancer Diagnosis

King Charles III

King Charles III returned to public duties on Tuesday, April 30, with a meaningful visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, and the monarch opened up a bit about his experience learning that he had cancer.

During the visit, Charles sat and spoke with cancer patients, hearing their stories and telling some of his own. When one person asked him how he was, via Hello!, Charles touched on his personal experience learning that he had cancer, saying, "Not too bad. It's always a bit of a shock, isn't it, when they tell you?"

Someone also asked how he was feeling that day and Charles replied, "I'm alright thank you very much, not too bad."

At one point during the visit, Charles mentioned his ongoing cancer treatment, speaking to a patient receiving chemotherapy and saying, "I've got to have my treatment this afternoon as well."

The king appeared to be in good spirits, holding hands with the patients and greeting everyone with a smile. Before heading into the facility, Charles and Queen Camilla waved to the crowds outside.

This was Charles' first public visit since announcing his cancer diagnosis in February. As he underwent treatment and stayed out of the public eye, his wife Camilla and other royals stepped in to take on some of the duties in the meantime.

Buckingham Palace shared the news last week that Charles would return to his royal duties, with a statement saying that his treatment would continue but "doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far."

Along with Charles, Princess Kate was also diagnosed with cancer around the same time, though she didn't publicly share the news until the end of March. She is currently undergoing "preventative chemotherapy," and her husband, Prince William, just shared a rare update, noting that she was "doing well."

Next: How King Charles' Major Change at Sandringham Estate Will Affect Kate and William