King gives cheery greeting to Baroness Scotland during Palace audience

The King appeared full of cheer during an audience with Baroness Scotland at Buckingham Palace.

Charles, who has met the Commonwealth secretary-general on many occasions, welcomed his guest to the Private Audience Room for the in-person meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

He was photographed chuckling and giving a wide smile as he shook Baroness Scotland’s hand.

The King is Head of the Commonwealth but this week missed the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, although his pre-recorded video message was played to the congregation.

It was issued in part to quell the conspiracy theories circulating online about the princess, who had not been seen publicly, other than in paparazzi shots, since Christmas Day or after her abdominal surgery.

Global picture agencies were forced to issue a kill notice after a number of editing inconsistencies were spotted in the image.

The saga has intensified speculation concerning Kate, her health and her whereabouts, and raised questions over whether images released by Kensington Palace can be trusted.