The King is determined to attend this year’s Trooping the Colour, his official birthday celebrations, if his health allows it.
Aides are already exploring ways that Charles might be able to take part within the constraints of his ongoing cancer treatment.
This could include watching the military spectacular from a podium instead of on horseback as usual, having been driven from Buckingham Palace in a carriage as his late mother used to.
No firm decision will be taken until nearer the time, given the nature of His Majesty’s condition, and it will be dependant on medical advice.
The event is due to be held in London on Saturday, June 15. But the Mail understands that planning for the occasion is moving ahead as scheduled, giving cause for optimism.
King Charles III (wearing his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London
The Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. Charles and Camilla leave Buckingham Palace by carriage to Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023
King Charles III saluted as he departed Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as he celebrated his first official birthday since becoming sovereign on June 17, 2023
Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 9, 2018 in London
Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London
‘There are a number of key events His Majesty would love to attend coming up in the diary and this is at the top of the list,’ a source said.
Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,200 soldiers and musicians plus more than 200 horses.
Usually the monarch rides down from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade via The Mall to inspect the troops.
The sovereign then rides back to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance with the wider Royal Family and flypast by the RAF.
As it stands, His Majesty has been advised by doctors not to attend events with large public gatherings after being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in January.
He is currently undergoing outpatient treatment in London although he is continuing to work hard behind the scenes on state matters and makes a point of being seen in public or on camera whenever possible.
Two weeks ago there was widespread confusion after tickets for Trooping the Colour were put on sale by the Ministry of Defence advertising the presence of the King.
Buckingham Palace said planning was under way but nothing could be confirmed.
However the Mail understands that things have moved on somewhat and staff are now exploring various options to ensure that Charles can attend as long as he ‘gets the nod’ from his team.
He would be keen to ride his horse, a black mare called Noble which was a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
King Charles III (centre), wearing his Welsh Guards uniform, Prince William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Welsh Guards) (left) and Princess Anne, Princess Royal (Colonel of the Blues and Royals) (right) depart Buckingham Palace on horseback to attend Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023
King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the King’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’, in London on June 17, 2023
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London
King Charles (left), then Prince of Wales, William (second from the left), then Duke of Cambridge, Prince Andrew (second from the right) and Princess Anne (right) ride on horses during the Trooping of the Colour parade, in central London, 8 June 2019
Members of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth II (left) and Prince Charles (centre), Prince of Wales, were on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 at The Mall on June 9, 2018 in London
Members of the royal family (King Charles and Queen Camilla centre) stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London
Queen Elizabeth II (right) stands with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales to watch a special flypast from Buckingham Palace balcony following the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee celebrations, in London on June 2, 2022
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales salutes during Trooping The Colour on June 2, 2022 in London
The Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony at Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade, London, on June 13, 2015
Members of the royal family including Charles, Prince of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth II (centre) stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony on June 15, 2013 in London
Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London
But the King could watch the event from a static position, which would be considered good news by well-wishers. His mother the late Queen attended the event in a carriage after 1987.
There has been no official confirmation of whether or not the Princess of Wales will be well enough to attend.
She had been due not only to attend the ceremony but also to conduct her own review of troops on June 8 in her role as Honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards whose ‘colour’ – or regimental flag – is being presented to the King.
However the Ministry of Defence was forced to take down a web page advertising her presence after Kensington Palace insisted that it was premature.
A spokesman said only that they would announce when Kate would return to work following her lengthy recuperation from abdominal surgery in January.
At the moment the princess is still expected to return to public duties after the Easter holidays, mostly likely following her children’s return to school in mid-April, dependent on medical advice at the time.
Royal aides have always said that it will be up to the princess if she wishes to make public more details about her health, which she may do in the context of a public engagement.
Sources say that there is no pressure or hurry on her to do so and her focus remains on ‘what is important’ – her recovery and her three children.