On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Buckingham Palace for his first face-to-face meeting with King Charles III since the royal announced a cancer diagnosis on February 5. When Sunak entered the sitting room, he immediately complimented Charles’ appearance, and the king was ready with a witty retort. 

“Wonderful to see you looking so well,” Sunak said in a video from the meeting.

“All done by mirrors,” the king joked in response.

In the weeks since Charles announced his diagnosis, people around the world have sent their well wishes, including President Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, and British politicians from across the political spectrum, and on Wednesday, the king added that the outpouring of support from the public made him emotional. “I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards,” he said. “It’s reduced me to tears most of the time.” 

“I can imagine,” Sunak said. “But everyone is behind you, and it’s been nice to see the spotlight that’s been shone on the work the charities do.”

Though he has been spotted at church with Queen Camilla multiple times over the last few weeks, the Wednesday meeting marked Charles’s first official appearance since his diagnosis, when he announced he would be taking a break from his public duties. He is still receiving his daily delivery of government papers, talking to the prime minister, and chairing meetings with the privy council. For the last two weeks, the king and Sunak conducted their weekly meetings on the phone. Camilla, on the other hand, has kept up a busy schedule of events, including support for her various charities and palace receptions. During one event, she took home a huge “Get Well Soon” card made by a group of Shakespearean actors.

Though the public is likely to see less of King Charles out and about while he undergoes outpatient treatment for an unspecified cancer, this summer his face will finally make it to the British pound. On Wednesday, the Bank of England announced that the first bills to feature the king’s portrait will enter circulation on June 5. According to the BBC, the addition of his face to 5, 10, 20, and 50 pound notes will be the currency’s only design change.