King Charles has carried out his first public duty since his short hospital stay last week by presiding over an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, handing out honours to Alan Titchmarsh and athletics champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson

The King has returned to public duties for the first time since his short hospital stay after suffering cancer treatment side effects. Charles beamed as he presided over an investiture cermony at Windsor Castle today after it was revealed that he was preparing for his usual working week after cancelling engagements on Friday.

This morning, the King recognised leading figures and community stalwarts for their efforts at the ceremony. Among those receiving honours were TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, who was made a CBE for services to horticulture and charity, and reigning world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who was made an MBE for services to athletics.

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh is made a CBE by King Charles ( 
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PA)

The King cancelled a busy away-day in Birmingham on Friday to prioritise his recovery, after experiencing temporary side effects following treatment at the London Clinic on Thursday morning, which required a short period of hospital observation that day. Over the coming days, Charles will be carrying out a mix of public engagements, state duties and private meetings.

A small number of appointments have been rescheduled to ensure an appropriate balance ahead of a busy state visit the King and Queen will make to Italy next week.

Charles, 76, has been receiving weekly cancer treatment in hospital since his diagnosis last February. The King was seen on Friday morning being driven away from Clarence House to head to Highgrove and he waved to wellwishers next to his London home as he left.

Last week, royal sources said the King would be spending the weekend at his country estate in order to rest and spend some time recuperating in the outdoors, as he has enjoyed throughout his treatment schedule. Friends have described Highgrove as being “a place of great comfort” for Charles during his cancer battle.

The King’s deputy private secretary Matthew Magee is made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order ( 
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Buckingham Palace has attempted to calm nerves surrounding the King’s admission to hospital, with royal sources describing it as “a bump in the road” and insisted Charles’ treatment was still “very much headed in the right direction”. It is understood the overseas tour with the Queen from April 7-10, which will see Charles become the first British sovereign to address both houses of the Italian parliament, is expected to go ahead as planned.

The trip has already had to be reorganised after the royals were due to meet the Pope at The Vatican as part of the tour. Pope Francis was last week discharged from hospital after suffering from double pneumonia and will require a period of rest and recuperation.

Tomorrow, the King will fulfil official duties and meetings at Buckingham Palace and hold his weekly audience with the Prime Minister, and the following day will attend a public engagement in Windsor and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the humanitarian air operator Mission Aviation Fellowship during an event at RAF Northolt in west London. Friday will be spent making final preparations for the state visit to Italy.

The King returned to full time duties last April following his diagnosis several months earlier. Since then he has embarked on a major tour with the Queen in October to Australia and Samoa and continued his public duties at pace this year.

Since his diagnosis last year, the King’s diary of engagements is understood to have been developed in full consultation with his medical team at all stages to protect and prioritise his recovery.