Buckingham Palace source gives update on King Charles’ cancer treatment
The 76-year-old monarch’s health is reportedly moving in a positive direction, but one insider says there is still a way to go.
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN LONDON
King Charles will require cancer treatment into next year, a Buckingham Palace source has reportedly confirmed.
The 76-year-old monarch’s health has been managed by the UK’s best doctors since his diagnosis in February, and is reportedly moving in a positive direction.
But despite the King planning on resuming full public duties next year, precise details of his cancer have remained tightly under wraps - although it’s understood he has been undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatment throughout the year.
While touring Australia and Samoa in October, the King was able to briefly pause that process.
The Sky source added that His Majesty plans to undertake a series of “exciting” engagements in the first half of 2025, including domestic and international visits.
“His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, and as it remains a managed condition, the treatment cycle will continue into the new year,” the insider told Sky News UK.
Despite his ongoing health battle, the King has been increasingly busy with public engagements as the year heads to a close.
On Thursday, he hosted a pre-Christmas lunch with members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace and on Friday he and Queen Camilla are attending their final public event of the year, focusing on “the importance of community.”
“You could almost forget that this was a man who, at the start of the year, faced the shock of being diagnosed with cancer,” one royal insider told Sky News.
The King’s diagnosis was revealed in February after an enlarged prostate led to a hospital stay in January.
Although he temporarily stepped back from public duties, Charles returned to work in April, continuing his commitments despite ongoing outpatient treatment.
Earlier this month, Prince William met with Donald Trump in Paris after they both attended the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, with the US President-elect later revealing they’d discussed the King’s health during their private conversation.
Mr Trump told the New York Post that according to the Prince of Wales, Charles is “fighting very hard” to beat his cancer.
In November, William had also opened up to journalists travelling with him to Cape Town for the Earthshot Prize awards about the royal family’s “brutal” year, which had seen both the King and Princess of Wales diagnosed with the disease.
Asked about how they'd all been coping throughout this period, William admitted: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful.
“It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
But William also insisted he just had to “crack on” with life.
“So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.
“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
Originally published as Buckingham Palace source gives update on King Charles’ cancer treatment
Eventful: Kate and a king’s battle – and a crown for Mary
From devastating health scares to widening rifts, 2024 proved to be one of the more eventful – and unpredictable – years in recent royal history. Here’s what unfolded for the British royal family and Australia’s own Queen Mary.
Explosive feuds and scares: What’s next for the Royals
Health scares, disagreements and widening rifts shook the Royal family to its core in 2024. Here’s how one of the most dramatic years in history at Buckingham Palace played out.