King Charles opens up about cancer battle during appearance with Prince William

The monarch has revealed a new detail about his treatment for cancer during a poignant moment at an engagement with Prince William.

King Charles has shed light on his cancer battle, two weeks after it was confirmed he was returning to public-facing duties.

The monarch, 75, joined Prince William, 41, outside an Apache helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire in England’s south east on Monday, where he officially named his son as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps - Prince Harry’s former unit.

At one point, the King exchanged details of his treatment with veteran Aaron Mapplebeck, who also underwent chemotherapy for cancer last year, according to The Sun.

During the poignant chat, the men reportedly discovered they’d both experienced a loss of taste during the process.

The royals appeared together at the Hampshire centre. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The King chatted with members of the public. Picture: Kin Cheung/Pool/AFP

During his long-awaited return to public duties, which saw him visit a cancer hospital earlier this month, Charles also opened up about his cancer to a patient there, describing the harrowing experience of being diagnosed.

“It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you?” he said.

Meanwhile, the King’s latest outing comes just days after his relationship with his youngest son again made headlines after the pair failed to meet up during Harry’s brief return to London for Invictus Games events.

Harry made a brief return to the UK. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation

The Duke of Sussex’s spokesman released a statement confirming that Harry had put in a request for a meeting, but that it had been declined.

“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program,” the spokesman said.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

However, the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden later claimed it wasn’t just a “full program” getting in the way.

“[Charles] doesn’t need the drama in his life,” a source close to the King reportedly told him.

“Harry and Meghan have brought him, and the rest of the family, nothing but worries over the past few years.”

The journalist added that the divide between Harry and Meghan and the rest of his family is unlikely to be bridged until the Sussexes apologise for their repeated criticisms of the royal family.

Originally published as King Charles opens up about cancer battle during appearance with Prince William