King Charles meets well-wishers on Sandringham estate

A crowd of more than 100 people gathered to see Charles, 75, as he strolled to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate.

Members of the public were invited into the paddock near the church as they are on Christmas Day.

The King – who is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis – wore a grey suit, purple tie and brown shoes.

King Charles III speaks with well wishers in Sandringham (Image: Joe Giddens)

The King, who was not joined by Camilla, briefly spoke to members of the public before being greeted by the Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams.

After the service, he walked down the steps from the church and took time to speak with Flt Lt Pauline Petch and a line-up of air cadets from 42F Squadron.Reverend Canon Paul Williams speaks with King Charles III (Image: Terry Harris/The Times/PA Wire) ​
Ms Petch has overseen the local RAF cadets for the last 20 years and is retiring next week with the Sandringham Flower Show on Wednesday as her last duty on.

She sent the King a card from the Squadron when news emerged that he was ill.

In it, she wished him well and said “I hope I’ll see you at the flower show which will be my 20th year in command and probably my last engagement”.

Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch talking with King Charles (Image: Terry Harris/The Times/PA Wire)

It is understood the King and Queen are unable to attend this year’s Sandringham Flower Show due to existing diary commitments, so Ms Petch and the cadets were invited to meet the King at the church instead.

Ms Petch said it meant “a lot” to have been invited and “It’s an honour to be down here.”

King Charles meeting the cadets of 42F (King's Lynn, Estate 1939) Squadron Air Training Corps Venture Adventure (Image: Terry Harris/The Times/PA Wire)

She added: “He spoke to each of the cadets so well and asked them so many different things about their schooling and about what they get from cadets.

“He’s so interested and always has been.”

Well-wishers greeted the King (Image: Terry Harris/The Times/PA Wire)

After speaking with the cadets, Charles walked back to Sandringham House, speaking to well-wishers along the way.

Joanne Barker, 57, from the village of Pleasley near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, who spoke with Charles said: “I think he looks a lot better. I admire him so much.

King Charles talking to members of the public at Mary Magdalene Church (Image: Joe Giddens)

“Even just to talk to people, he’s amazing, but I think he looked a lot better than he has done.

“He was walking quite well. I think he seemed in good spirits, he was lovely and he had a laugh with us.”