King Charles has been pictured leaving Clarence House this morning as he prepares to undergo prostate surgery. Queen Camilla was sat beside him as the car pulled away from their London home.

The pair arrived shortly afterwards at The London Clinic, a private hospital in Marylebone where Kate is currently recovering.

The King is expected to stay in the hospital for two nights as he recovers from the planned surgery.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.”

Last Wednesday two royal health scares were revealed, with news that the Princess of Wales had successful abdominal surgery followed by a second announcement that the King was due to undergo a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate this week. Neither Buckingham Palace nor Kensington has given an update since.

Last Friday the King flew from Aberdeen – where he had been spending his New Year’s break and received the benign prostate diagnosis – to his Norfolk estate Sandringham. But yesterday he was pictured arriving back in London, as it is thought that he will receive the treatment at a London hospital.

King Charles was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

Charles swiftly cancelled his planned engagements as he was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

The Queen had previously said her husband is “fine” and looking forward to getting back to work.

The fact that the King is going into hospital on Friday and will recover over the weekend speaks volumes about his work ethic.

When the announcement was first made aides indicated that no counsellors of state would be required to step in for the King after his surgery, suggesting that he planned to continue with his stately duties.

It is also convenient that both senior royals are staying in the same hospital, as it means family members can visit both of them at the same time – something that was undoubtedly planned.