King Charles cancer diagnosis: Monarch, Queen Camilla seen for first time since cancer shock

After an “emotional” meeting with Prince Harry, King Charles and Queen Camilla were all smiles after they were pictured for the first time since the monarch revealed he had cancer.

King Charles has been diagnosed with a new form of cancer. Picture: Getty Images

After an “emotional” reunion with Prince Harry, King Charles was all smiles after he was pictured in public for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer.

The King spent 45 minutes at Clarence House with his youngest son who had flown in from the US before being driven to Buckingham Palace where he boarded a helicopter with Queen Camilla bound for Sandringham.

It is the first time in 16 months that King Charles has sat down with his son.

King Charles and Queen Camilla waved to onlookers as the monarch was seen publicly for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer. Picture: AFP

The royal couple smiled at onlookers and waiting media. Picture: AFP

“It would have been an emotional reunion, cancer, and all illness, is a leveller and the King would have had a welcome boost seeing his estranged son,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said.

“The King is said to be in good spirits but frustrated about the effect his diagnosis has had on people around him including Prince Harry who flew 11 hours from California to be with him.

“Harry was delayed arriving which is why the King spent less time with him than he had hoped.

King Charles smiled as he was driven to Buckingham Palace from Clarence House. Picture: AFP

“Harry loves his father despite what has gone on between them and the King will never stop loving his son.

“It is often the children that give you the most trouble that a parent worries about most.”

A convoy of two black SUVs had taken the worried-looking prince from Heathrow Airport to the royal residence on Tuesday afternoon local time.

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry is not believed to have seen his father in person since the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022 and he did not see his family after the Coronation on May 6, despite going to Buckingham Palace.

The King and Queen Camilla left Clarence House by car to Buckingham Palace around 3.45pm (2.45am) and waved to wellwishers amassed at the gate after seeing the Duke on Tuesday.

The royal couple left London for Norfolk. Picture: AFP

The King and Queen were flown from Buckingham Palace to Sandringham. Picture: AFP

It is believed the helicopter picked up the King and Queen from the Palace rooftop to take them to Sandringham.

Prince Harry left Clarence House a few minutes later in black SUV.

It is understood that Prince Harry and his brother the Prince of Wales have “no plans” to meet while the Duke is in the UK visiting their father.

The royal couple put on a buoyant front. Picture: AFP

The Duke’s transatlantic dash had raised hopes his return to Britain will be used to heal wounds with the king as well as soften the anger between the brothers.

But Palace sources have said there are no plans for a meeting between the royal brothers.

“We do not comment on private matters or private meetings between royals,” a palace spokesman said.

Earlier, King Charles met with son, Prince Harry, at Clarence House. Picture: AFP

It’s believed the Prince of Wales is focused on looking after his wife who is recovering from abdominal surgery and is expected to return to public duties around Easter.

Prince William is due to resume public dutieson Wednesday local time, carrying out an investiture at Windsor Castle in the morning before later attending a gala for the London Air Ambulance Service in the evening.

Sources close to Prince Harry said he would welcome the chance to meet with his brother.

“The Duke’s main reason for travelling to the UK is to visit his father but if there’s a chance for him to see his brother then the Duke will take it,” Mr Fitzwilliams added.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace signalled it was business as usual, confirming that Queen Camilla would attend a Musical Evening at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday local time to celebrate the work of local charities, including The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, The Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and Community First – Youth Action Wiltshire, as well as the regimental charities of The Grenadier Guards and The Rifles.

‘NEW FORM OF CANCER’

Buckingham Palace announced on Monday night local time that the King had been diagnosed with cancer.

In a statement Buckingham Palace said a “separate issue of concern was noted” after the 75-year-old monarch underwent a prostate operation last month.

Tests have revealed “a form of cancer”, the Palace said.

The King has begun a schedule of regular treatments and postponed royal duties on doctors’ orders after he was seen attending church at Sandringham on Sunday.

Prince Charles attended church at Sandringham with Queen Camilla on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

The shock announcement came just over a week after he was released from hospital following a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.

“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

“Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

A statement from Buckingham Palace: https://t.co/zmYuaWBKw6

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— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 5, 2024

“His Majesty has chosen 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.”

He will now receive regular treatment at a London hospital.

He is said to be “positive about his treatment”, and “looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible”.

The news was announced by Buckingham Palace after the Prime Minister was informed, and the King had a chance to inform close family members Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

“The King is in a positive frame of mind and has spoken to all his children and siblings personally about his diagnosis,” royal author and journalist Robert Jobson said. “He is expected to make a full recovery and we wish him well.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Christmas Day service, just weeks before he underwent prostate surgery. Picture: AFP

The King announced in mid-January that he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and would undergo treatment in the same London hospital where his daughter-in-law, Princess Catherine, had abdominal surgery.

The Palace said his condition was “benign” and he would undergo “a corrective procedure”.

“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.

“Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.

“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”

The Palace has not said what type of cancer it is.

HOPES CANCER IS ‘EMINENTLY TREATABLE’

As news of the King’s diagnosis broke, leading health experts gave their opinion on his possible condition, with one prominent British oncologist saying the cancer is likely to be “eminently treatable”.

Professor Angus Dalgleish said while he would not want to speculate on the type of cancer the King has, he believed it sounded like “a very early cancer”.

“At the end of the day cancer is just a word – not a sentence,” he told GB News.

“In my experience if it is something they saw while they were doing this (procedure) then it is eminently treatable and that’s a very good thing.

“Hopefully it hasn’t spread and they’re giving him treatment. I don’t really want to speculate on all the different types but in the pelvis there are many things that you can come across very early and it’s curable.

“I strongly suspect and hope that this is what the case is and that we shouldn’t overreact to it.

“Obviously it’s very worrying for him as an individual but it is all I can say it is very, very common.”

Australian health expert Ginni Mansberg, however, said the fact that the King had cancelled all public appearances indicated that his condition could be serious.

Dr Mansberg told Seven’s Sunrise it was common to pick up cancer during routine tests before surgery.

“I think if it was something you could get rid of by surgery — let’s say, for example, a bladder cancer — then you’re normally back on your feet so I am concerned it might be something a bit more serious than that. I hope not.”

King Charles has been diagnosed with a new form of cancer. Picture: AFP

The Duke of Sussex is understood to have spoken with the King about his diagnosis and will travel to the UK to see him in the coming days, a source close to Harry said.

The King’s children and siblings have all been told as he steps back from royal duties and begins treatment.

Queen Camilla has been the King’s “rock” and stood by his side since he was diagnosed with cancer.

She had urged the workaholic monarch to slow down before he was hospitalised last month.

Sources say she is putting a brave face on for the sake of the King since his cancer diagnosis.

Queen Camilla will continue to fulfil all her public duties while King Charles is being treated, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

UNCERTAINTY AROUND CHARLES’ AUSSIE TOUR

The king’s long-anticipated visit to Australia this year now hangs in the balance after he was diagnosed with cancer, with the palace refusing to confirm any planned future state visits.

His Majesty, 75, accompanied by the Queen, was due to travel to Australia just before or after the Commonwealth Heads of GovernmentMeeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, which is being held in late October.

The British media is now speculating the king might have to deputise Prince William to step in for him at CHOGM, ironicallyjust like Charles had to do for an ailing Queen many times in the past.

A Palace official said on Monday “We have not confirmed any state visits for later on in the year and won’t until nearer the time,” it is understood the King’s Australia visit – the royal couple’s first visit to the country since 2018 when they openedthe Commonwealth Games on the Queensland Gold Coast – had been quietly confirmed and was in the advance stages of being planned.

Palace officials have been advised to continu eplanning for future visits “where possible, making allowances for the changedcircumstance.”

Canberra’s parliamentary schedule has a week-long break on both sides of the CHOGM conference, which would have allowed aroyal visit to Australia without interrupting the parliamentary sitting calendar.

The most recent opinion poll, held just after Her Majesty’s death, suggested 46 per cent of Australians wanted a republic, while 54 per cent preferred the existing system of government.

Other trips could be postponed depending on how the King’s health progresses.

Originally published as King Charles cancer diagnosis: Monarch, Queen Camilla seen for first time since cancer shock