King Charles III will return to public affairs next week, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday, an encouraging sign of his recovery nearly three months after revealing he had cancer, and a relief for a country worried about a another earthshaking change in the British monarchy.
The palace did not provide specific updates on King Charles’ medical treatment, current health or prognosis. However, in the opaque world of the royal family, the monarch’s busy schedule is often the best indication of his health.
The news offers a ray of hope for a royal family that has faced health problems since the start of the year. Catherine, Princess of Wales, confirmed last month that she too has cancer. She has withdrawn from public life since being hospitalized in January, sparking a storm of rumours, often false, about her condition.
The simultaneous illness of two of the oldest and most powerful members of the royal family has thrown the House of Windsor into uncertainty, at a time of transition. Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, and her son Charles barely ascended the throne.
Charles’ absence has put pressure on Queen Camilla
Charles, 75, continued to have meetings during treatment, including weekly meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a video call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
But his absence has put pressure on other family members, particularly Camilla, who has stood in for him on several occasions, including a trip to Northern Ireland.
Catherine’s husband Prince William only recently returned to public duties after taking time off to care for his wife.
The King reappeared in public for the first time on Easter Sunday (March 31, no) when he greeted the public after a religious service at Windsor Castle. British newspapers reported that Charles was restless and anxious to return to public engagements, including a state visit to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, scheduled for the autumn.
However, apart from these dry reports, the king’s health has been kept under wraps since the Palace announced on February 4 that he was suffering from cancer.
The doctors are satisfied
On Friday, the palace said Charles’ cancer treatment would continue, “but doctors are sufficiently satisfied with the progress to date that the king is now able to resume a number of public duties”. His doctors, he said, “remain positive about the King’s health and continued recovery.”
The lack of details about the king’s illness has fueled speculation. Last month, social media in Russia reported that Charles had died, citing a fake press release. The British Embassy in Moscow felt compelled to issue a denial.
Beyond the ribbon-cuttings and knighting ceremonies that take up much of a monarch’s time, royal watchers said they hoped King Charles would take up what had been the first signs of a campaign to update the monarchy since his mother’s death. He rationalized the size of the royal family and spoke out on issues such as climate change and religious pluralism.
In its statement on Friday, the palace said Charles and Camilla were looking forward to the first anniversary of their coronation in May and “remain deeply grateful for the many well wishes they have received”.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, will mark his return with a visit to a cancer center on Tuesday, where they will meet patients and staff, the Palace said. The sovereign will also appear at other engagements, not least welcoming Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, on a state visit in June.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III was “very encouraged to resume some public duties and is very grateful to his medical team”.
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