King ‘glad to be out of cage’ in first military visit since cancer diagnosis

The King has said he was glad to be “out of my cage” as he embarked on his first military engagement since announcing a return to public duty.

His Majesty, 75, met staff and families of the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering, the training base for the Army’s Royal Engineers

He took on the role of Colonel-in-Chief, which used to be held by Queen Elizabeth II, in March last year.

The King was welcomed on the red carpet, with quarter guard salute after stepping out of the State Bentley.

Arriving at Gibraltar Barracks, in Minley, Wilts, he said: “Thank you so much, I do apologise by taking you by surprise, this opportunity appeared and allowed [me] out of my cage and wanted to come and have a look.”

Lt Col Robert Grant said afterwards: “We only had, if you take into account the Bank Holiday, only seven or eight days to pull it all together but when you get that call ‘is it possible to put a visit for His Majesty?’ there is only one answer.”

The King is said to have been “frustrated” by his enforced time at home, as he undergoes treatment for cancer. His doctors have now given him clearance to return to some public duties, with some modifications to protect his health.

On Thursday, the King chatted to trainees, trainers and their families on a patio at the Officer’s Mess.

Speaking to heavily-pregnant Sophie Mairs, 37, whose due date is in six weeks, the King joked: “Are you sure you should be here today?”

Mrs Mairs, whose husband WO2 Barry Mairs, 38, is in the Engineers, said afterwards: “I said I couldn’t miss it. It’s not every day the King comes to where your husband works.”

Outside, six-year-old Louis Bacon handed the King a drawing he had made.

Louis said: “I wanted to make something special.”

Lucas Stewart, also six, handed the King some honey made on the barracks.

On receiving the gift, the King said: “Oh, just what I need.”