Camilla gave an update on the king’s condition during a visit to Belfast.

The Queen received a get well card for her husband who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

She will perform a number of engagements in Northern Ireland on Thursday after arriving at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence, on Wednesday night.

Camilla arrived on busy Lisburn Road in south Belfast on Thursday morning to meet scores of well-wishers.

She met with the owners and staff of Coffey’s Butchers, The Arcadia deli and Knotts Bakery before impromptu meet-and-greets with well-wishers.

Camilla received some local favorites as gifts at Coffey’s, including veggie wraps and beer sausages, to which she responded: “I’ll be bringing these back to my husband and he’ll put them to good use”.

During a visit to the Arcadia Hotel, clerk Brenda Robb asked about Charles and handed her a get well card expressing her best wishes.

Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: “He did a great job… He was very disappointed that he couldn’t come”.

Responding to a quip about men “not being the best patients,” Camilla said: “I try to keep him in line.”

Ms Robb told the PA news agency: “She was beautiful and a real lady. She accepted the get well card I had prepared for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband was not here.

“It’s such a fitting card. It has a little saying from Belfast, basically rest, take care, and on the back of it it says from Ireland. It was picked with love.

“People said he might not get the card, but I think he will.”

Meanwhile, in Notts, Camilla met boss William Corrie, his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their One-year-old son Fitz.

When someone joked that the little boy in a tuxedo was stealing her spotlight, the Queen giggled and smiled at him.

She left Knotts gifts of fruit bread and iced Madeira cake, adding that she hoped to have a snack later.

Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday night, with buglers from the Hillsborough Ford Guard blowing to signal her arrival at Hillsborough Castle in County Co Down.

The Queen last visited Northern Ireland in May 2023, when she and the King were in contact during their first visit to the region after the Coronation.

Charles is traveling alone this week after stepping down from public duties while undergoing cancer treatment.