Emotional coincidence as King Charles retires to Sandringham – the same place where his grandfather George VI died 72 years ago today

King Charles has arrived at Sandringham for the first time today after his cancer diagnosis on the anniversary of his grandfather’s death.

Charles arrived back at the Norfolk country house with Queen Camilla after meeting his son Prince Harry for less than an hour in their first face-to-face encounter for nine months.

His arrival back at the royal residency falls on the same day that King George VI died 72 years ago.

The father of Queen Elizabeth II passed away in his sleep at Sandringham at the age of 56 on February 6, 1952, after suffering from lung cancer.

The condition was kept secret from the King himself, who died five months after having part of his left lung removed.

King Charles arrived back at the Norfolk country house with Queen Camilla after meeting his son Prince Harry for less than an hour in their first face-to-face encounter for nine months

Charles arrival back at the royal residency (pictured) falls on the same day that King George VI died 72 years ago

King George VI passed away in his sleep at Sandringham at the age of 56 on February 6, 1952, after suffering from lung cancer

Although King George VI was in largely good health for most of his reign, his heavy smoking ultimately took a toll.

In September 1951, he had his left lung removed for was referred to at the time as ‘structural abnormalities’.

In reality, it was due to cancer, but the King’s doctors kept this diagnosis both from the public and the monarch himself.

Although he did seem to be recovering from the procedure, the King died suddenly from a coronary thrombosis – or blood clot in the blood vessels or arteries of the heart – five months later, in February 1952.

Before he was treated for lung cancer the King also grappled with issues with his arteries which in 1949 nearly saw him lose his right leg when he developed an arterial blockage.

This led to the postponing of a planned tour of New Zealand and Australia.

George’s death was a shock to the public and the Royal Family.

He had waved goodbye to his 25-year-old daughter and heiress, Elizabeth, just a few weeks before as she left to visit Kenya.

News of her father’s death, and her immediate accession to the throne, reached the Queen while she was on safari.

Charles, 75, is said to be ‘on good form’ following his treatment earlier today for an unspecified cancer. The royal helicopter was seen arriving in Sandringham just before 5pm.

Charles and Queen Camilla were seen waving to crowds as they left Clarence House in London in an official car at 3.35pm before catching a helicopter to Norfolk.

The monarch’s Sikorsky S-76C chopper landed less than an hour later at the royal estate at around 4.20pm.