King Charles was “thrilled” to return to public-facing duties on Tuesday, the Queen revealed yesterday, and added that she’s “been trying to hold him back” during his cancer treatment.

Camilla, 76, made the comments as she welcomed 300 guests to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon to recognise those who support survivors of sexual assault. Guests included Carrie Johnson, Zara McDermott, Cherie Blair and Theresa May.

Camilla hailed those gathered for “standing up and committing yourselves to bringing an end to these heinous crimes” as she delivered a powerful speech on a cause she has championed for more than a decade.

But she also delighted those gathered by providing a brief health update on the King, after his triumphant return to royal duties on Tuesday, where he and Camilla visited a hospital and spent time chatting to cancer patients.

“I think he was really thrilled to be out,” she told Teresa Tideman, chairman of In Kind Direct. “I’ve been trying to hold him back.”

It marked his first public-facing duty since he started cancer treatment at the start of February.

Earlier on Thursday, the King held an audience with the King of Lesotho Letsie III in the 1844 Room at the Palace.

On Tuesday, the 75-year-old looked delighted to be returning to more fulsome duties as he arrived at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.

Meeting staff and patients, the King hopes his visit will raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and will highlight some of the innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK.

The King revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer on February 5, with the type of cancer not disclosed.

During the King’s visit on Tuesday, he was also revealed as the new patron of Cancer Research UK. As a result, he met the charity’s Chief Clinician, Professor Charlie Swanton.

Last week the Palace delighted royal fans by stating that the monarch would “shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following recent cancer diagnosis.”

They added that his medical team is “very encouraged by the progress made so far” and remains “positive about the King’s continued recovery”.

For decades, Charles has taken a specific interest in the treatment of cancer for the past few decades, and now – following his own diagnosis – intends to bring his campaigning zeal to highlight the battle to find a cure.

Previously speaking about cancer, the King referred to it as this “beastly disease”.