QUEEN Camilla has given well-wishers an update on King Charles’ health and joked she is “trying to keep him in order”.
Today, Camilla stepped in for the monarch on a whistle-stop trip to Northern Ireland.
Charles has stepped back from public duties after he was diagnosed with cancer in January.
Camilla was seen beaming as she arrived to crowds of well-wishers on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast.
During a visit to The Arcadia deli, shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get well card for Charles, and extended her best wishes.
Camilla took the card with thanks, adding: “He’s doing very well…. he was very disappointed he couldn’t come.”
Responding to quips about men “not being the best patients”, Camilla said: “I try to keep him in order.”
She met owners and staff at Coffey’s Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before doing an impromptu meet and greet with royal fans.
Camilla will also mark World Poetry Day hosting an event for the Queen‘s Reading Room at Hillsborough Castle.
Ms Robb added: “She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasn’t here.
“It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love.
“People say maybe he’ll not get the card, but I think he will.”
Meanwhile, at Knotts, Camilla met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz.
The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him.
She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later.
Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, with a bugler from the Hillsborough Ford Guard playing to mark her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down.
The Queen was last in Northern Ireland in May 2023 when she and the King undertook engagements on their first visit to the region following the coronation.
King Charles was seen leaving Clarence House today, flanked by police cars as the cancer-stricken monarch drove off from his Westminster home.
Earlier this week he was spotted looking stoic as he headed out this morning, before he hosted veterans at Buckingham Palace.
The cancer-stricken King gazed out of the Bentley window while being driven out of Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
He had a police escort and was followed closely by a Range Rover.
Despite his health battles, a brave Charles was spotted putting on a strong front and donning his suit.
He was then snapped chatting away to Veterans of the Korean War to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict.
But the monarch is said to be determined to attend his official birthday celebrations on June 15 at Trooping the Colour.
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health battles to have struck the Royals this year
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week
JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer,
but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Princess Kate speaks publicly for the first time since her surgery and shares touching photo for Mother’s Day
MARCH 11: Kate forced to apologise for editing sweet family snap before being pictured in back of car with Wills
MARCH 16: Princess Kate and Wills snapped walking at farm shop near Windsor
Aides are reportedly mulling tweaks to help Charles take part in the military ceremony if his health allows.
The monarch usually rides from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to inspect troops on horseback.
It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed the first video footage of Princess Kate since her abdominal surgery in January.
Kate, 42, dressed down in a hoodie and leggings, carried her own shopping as she strolled through the car park at Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday.
Doting husband Prince William was right by her side as the pair appeared to spend a wholesome weekend together.
The Sun also revealed Kate and Wills had spent Sunday morning watching their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, play sport.
Despite appearing fit and healthy, the princess remains under medical guidance to keep off work until next month.
No date has yet been given for a return to public duty after her abdominal surgery more than eight weeks ago.
It is understood she will return to work when she is good and ready.
