The king remains “wholly positive.”
King Charles III won’t let health challenges keep him away from work. He’s taking a break from the public eye amid ongoing cancer treatments, but he’s staying on top of royal responsibilities.
The 75-year-old was spotted on Wednesday near his London home in his car waving to onlookers. He’s currently in town for business and private meetings with various U.K. officials, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This sighting comes a day after he missed a memorial service for his second cousin, King Constantine of Greece. Even though he wasn’t able to make it, he was pictured wearing a tie featuring Greek flags in tribute to the late royal.
Even as he continues his duties as king, the monarch is taking a break from his more public-facing roles. In his absence, other members of the royal family have been stepping up. For instance, his wife, Queen Camilla, formally led the family at the memorial service, which Prince William was also absent from. As his wife Kate Middleton recovers from her abdominal surgery, followers are speculating whether that held him back from the event.
As we await more details about both royals, here’s what we know about the king’s diagnosis and treatment.
Prince Charles’ type of cancer is unknown, but it’s not prostate cancer
The palace didn’t disclose what form of cancer Charles has, but an official said it wasn’t prostate cancer. Doctors did, however, discover it during his procedure on Jan. 29 for an enlarged prostate, which was benign.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” the palace said in a statement on Monday. “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
Officials didn’t specify what stage the cancer was found in and not much else is known about his diagnosis — at least publicly. The palace did add that the king chose to share his diagnosis “to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
While it’s not a lot of information, it’s certainly more than members of the royal family who’ve come before him have been willing to disclose — namely, his grandfather, King George VI, who died of lung cancer in 1952 but never revealed his diagnosis to the public.
He shared the news privately with his family
Before going public with the news, Charles personally shared his cancer diagnosis with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as other members of the royal family.
Prince William spoke publicly last week for the first time since the king’s diagnosis, noting at a charity gala that the “past few weeks have had a rather medical focus.” The news comes at a difficult time for the family: Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery for an unspecified ailment late last month and is still recovering at home. Meanwhile, Prince Harry has already visited his father in light of the news.
Despite keeping his health mostly private, he has expressed gratitude for all of the support he has been getting since his condition was shared with the world. The palace revealed that he’s received 7,000 letters and cards from across the world since his diagnosis earlier this month.
During a meeting with Sunak, Charles said he had been “reduced to tears” following the influx of cards and well-wishes. “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” he said.
Will King Charles step down from his royal duties due to his diagnosis?
Charles isn’t stepping down from his royal duties other than the ones that are public-facing so he can minimize his contact with people amid his treatment. In fact, he officially returned to work in late February as he continues his regular meetings and royal business. This also includes his “red boxes” containing documents from the government that he must review as head of state.
So for now, he won’t be delegating his royal business by appointing another senior member of the royal family or a “counsellor of state.” But if Charles was to abdicate the throne, his son, Prince William, would take his place.
King Charles remains “wholly positive” about his cancer treatment
Charles has already begun a schedule of “regular treatments.” Officials say Charles remains optimistic about his cancer treatment and praises the medical experts who are caring for him.
“The king is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure,” the palace said in its statement. “He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”
Until this point, the king has generally stayed in good health other than contracting Covid-19 twice throughout the pandemic. He has had some close calls — in 1988, he narrowly escaped an avalanche that killed his friend Hugh Lindsay, and two years later, he survived being thrown from his horse and knocked unconscious during a polo match.
What world leaders are saying
Charles has received an outpouring of support since his cancer diagnosis.
Several leaders, including those he works closely with, have already sent him their best wishes. Shortly after the news broke, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told BBC News that Charles’ cancer was “caught early.”
Sunak said, “Like everyone else, we’re shocked and sad, and just all our thoughts are with him and his family. Thankfully, this has been caught early and now everyone will be wishing him, that he gets the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery. That’s what we’re all hoping and praying for.”
In addition to the prime minister, other British politicians rallied behind the king. Both Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle wished the King a speedy recovery. “I know the whole house will wish to join me in expressing our sympathies with His Majesty the King following the news this evening,” Hoyle said.
Other European leaders were also quick to chime in. First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford wished the King a “full and swift recovery.” Newly appointed First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, also wished the monarch well.
Meanwhile, President Biden expressed concern and said he planned to call Charles. “I’m concerned about him. Just heard about his diagnosis,” he told reporters during a campaign stop in Las Vegas, “I’ll be talking to him, God willing.”
