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King Charles said messages of support had "reduced me to tears", as he was seen for the first time back on official duties since revealing his cancer diagnosis, the BBC reported.

He was meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said: "Wonderful to see you looking so well."

"It's all done by mirrors," the King joked, lightening the mood.

The King told Mr Sunak that he had been very moved by all the cards and good wishes that had been sent to him.

The monarch shook hands with Mr Sunak as he arrived for the Buckingham Palace audience on Wednesday afternoon, with both doubtlessly aware of the public scrutiny of the King's health.

Looking relaxed and wearing a blue pinstriped suit, the King sat down with the prime minister in the ornately decorated Audience Room, surrounded by photos of his royal relations and a painting by Canaletto of the Thames.

While he receives treatment the King has stopped carrying out public visits, but he is continuing with his duties as head of state, such as this regular meeting with the prime minister.

Mr Sunak was filmed arriving and the King told him how much he had appreciated all the messages he had received and his admiration for cancer charities.

"I've had so many wonderful messages and cards, it's reduced me to tears most of the time," said the King.

But the rest of the meeting with the prime minister, which lasted about 45 minutes, was held in private as usual.

The King has previously been seen heading to church in Sandringham and being driven to and from Clarence House in London, but this was the first sight of him in such a formal setting since his cancer diagnosis was announced more than two weeks ago.