King Charles drives Queen Camilla to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral amid cancer treatment – after it emerged monarch told aides he plans to attend Royal Ascot

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheerful this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.

The 75-year-old monarch’s appearance comes after it emerged he plans to attend Royal Ascot this summer despite his ongoing battle with cancer.

The five-day race, held in June, is said to be of great importance to the King as he seeks to honor his late mother the Queen, who missed just one Ascot during her 70-year reign.

In recent weeks the king, who revealed in February that he had an undisclosed form of cancer, has made more and more public appearances, much to the relief of the British public.

Charles largely stepped back from his public duties after revealing his shocking diagnosis, but has continued to read his daily red boxes and have his weekly audience with the Prime Minister.

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked cheerful this morning as they headed to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk

It is believed that the king, who has undergone cancer treatment, is keen to get back into action – and aides are so happy with his progress that they plan for him to attend the event. Pictured: King and Queen Camilla on day three of Ascot last year

Earlier this week, the monarch waved cheerfully to fans and tourists standing outside Clarence House as he retired to his Bentley limousine from the Maroons state.

Excited royal onlookers snapped photos of Charles as he passed by, with many appearing shocked that they had been so lucky to catch a glimpse of the king in the flesh.

It’s understood Charles plans to ‘ramp up his schedule’ in the coming weeks, which is good news for royal fans, who are still reeling from the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis that sent shockwaves around the world .

An insider previously told the Mail: ‘The idea of ​​a locked-up monarch would not work these days and will only lead to damaging speculation about His Majesty’s health.’

A source added last month: ‘While it is too early to confirm things – and it is of course relatively early in His Majesty’s treatment cycle – the patient is positive, the doctors are optimistic and the treatments are incredibly advanced.’

Last night the Mail on Sunday revealed the King is keen to return to action, with aides planning his attendance at Ascot.

He was previously expected to miss the occasion due to his treatment, but he is determined to look after his horses, many of which were bred by his late mother.

The King has told courtiers he wants to honor the memory of his late mother by attending Royal Ascot this summer. Pictured with Queen Camilla on day five of Ascot last year

Kate, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte look to the sky during last year’s Trooping the Color event

A racing source said: ‘Racing is an important part of the legacy he inherited from his mother and one he cherishes. That’s why he’ll be so eager to go.’

Charles is expected to spend ‘at least’ one day at the event, along with his friends and family.

It is also touted that the King will attend Trooping the Colour, which takes place three days before Ascot begins.

Chaos ensued last month when the military’s official website announced that Kate Middleton would attend the event, which takes place every June and marks her return to public life after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

The mistake, which was made before the princess publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis, caused a frenzy among royal fans who rushed to get tickets.

But Kensington Palace had not confirmed Kate’s attendance and MailOnline understands that Palace officials had not been consulted about the update by the Ministry of Defence.