Doctors have given the King permission to return to public duties for the first time since he was diagnosed with cancer.
Her Majesty is not yet free of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but her medical team is understood to be “pleased with the progress made so far” and “remains positive” about her recovery.
To celebrate the good news, Buckingham Palace has announced two major events, the first of many to be held in the coming months, and has thanked Their Majesties for all the good wishes they have received.
After his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 6, the King postponed all public participation but continued his duties as head of state behind palace walls, conducting audiences and Privy Council meetings.
But on Tuesday, the King and Queen will visit a cancer treatment center – a deeply moving commitment given their own battle with cancer, as well as that of their daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales – where they will meet specialist doctors and patients. . The royal event aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight the innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK, taking place at the hospital.
There are also plans to host a state visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June at the request of the government.
Officials also released a beautiful new portrait of Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, looking happy and relaxed in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. The image was taken on April 10, the day after their 19th wedding anniversary.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said tonight: “His Majesty the King will soon return to his public duties following a period of treatment and recovery following his recent cancer diagnosis.”
‘To help mark this milestone, the King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center next Tuesday, where they will meet specialist doctors and patients. This visit will be the first in a series of external engagements that Her Majesty will undertake in the coming weeks.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, taken by portrait artist Millie Pilkington, in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on April 10, the day after their 19th wedding anniversary. The image is published today to mark the first anniversary of his coronation.
King Charles III departs with Queen Camilla after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic on January 29. The monarch would later reveal that he has cancer, but today there is good news as doctors give him permission to return to the public. homework, but he still doesn’t have everything clear
Additionally, the King and Queen will host Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan on a state visit in June, at the request of Her Majesty’s Government.
“As the first anniversary of the Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world during the joys and challenges of the past year.”
The Mail understands that the King is also hoping to undertake investitures (the giving of honors to worthy members of the public) in the coming weeks and months.
Again, ceremonies will likely be adjusted to take into account their condition and ongoing treatment, perhaps with a smaller number of recipients.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on whether members of the wider Royal Family, including Harry and Meghan, were informed of their news in advance.
Charles has been receiving outpatient care since early February, and the announcement will be a boost for the monarchy to come to terms with the King and Princess of Wales as cancer patients.
The King’s health crisis first became public in January, when it was announced that he was going to be admitted to hospital to undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate.
He remained in the London Clinic for three days.
At the time the condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but in February it was revealed that subsequent tests had uncovered the presence of the disease in other parts of his body.
Buckingham Palace has not revealed the nature of the cancer or details of the treatment he immediately began receiving.
Officials have emphasized that Her Majesty’s cancer treatment is still ongoing, saying: “Her Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are satisfied enough with the progress made so far that the King can now resume a series of duties facing the public”. Upcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risk to Her Majesty’s continued recovery.
They cannot, at this time, specify how long this will continue. A spokesperson said: “It is too early to say, but Her Majesty’s medical team is very encouraged by the progress made so far and remains positive about the King’s continued recovery.”
They added that “any public engagement will be announced closer to the time in the usual way and will remain subject to doctors’ advice” and stressed that it would not be a “full summer programme”.
Officials are at pains to point out that the King has been working throughout his diagnosis and treatment, dealing with state documents, meeting with the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, and even making engagements with a small number of people behind the palace walls.
The first sign that the future looked brighter was when he took a short public walk in front of Windsor Church on Easter Sunday.
But so far he has not been able to undertake engagements with a large number of audiences either at home or abroad.
The Princess of Wales spoke of the “huge shock” of being diagnosed with cancer in a video published on March 22.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, smiled as he was greeted by school children during his visit to St. Michael’s Church of England School in Birmingham yesterday. He seemed very happy, perhaps after hearing the good news about his father.
Reacting to the news of the King’s health update on X, formerly Twitter, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Good news to end the week!” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also said the announcement was “fantastic news”.
The WhatsNew2Day has already exclusively revealed that planning is already underway for him to attend his official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, as well as Royal Ascot and the summer garden parties.
It is not yet clear whether he will be able to travel to Normandy in June for the main D-Day anniversary commemorations or to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa as planned in October, but it is understood that the King is interested in doing so if his health permits. .
A spokesperson added today: “Planning continues on how Their Majesties can attend those summer and autumn engagements, although nothing can be confirmed or guaranteed at this time.” All future plans remain subject to medical advice as the time approaches, and appropriate adaptations will be made where necessary to minimize any risk to Her Majesty’s continued recovery.
Your duties will include both indoor and outdoor engagements, designed to minimize any risks to your health, such as catching a cold or other bugs, while your health is compromised.
It is understood that each engagement will be carefully reviewed and managed to take into account any risks to Her Majesty’s continued recovery.
Asked how he was feeling, a spokesperson said: “His Majesty is very encouraged to resume some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.”
The King is understood to be “looking forward” to hosting the Japanese state visit in June, but planning remains fluid as doctors continue to monitor the King’s health.
In a separate statement, the palace said: “Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan have accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom at the end of June 2024.”
The visit was previously scheduled for spring 20202, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince Louis’ birthday portrait (pictured) was taken by his mother and posted when he turned six this week.
The King has visited Japan on five occasions as Prince of Wales, including the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in 2019 and Emperor Akihito in 1990, and visited on three other occasions, in 2008, 1986 and 1970.
The Emperor and Empress of Japan attended the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. This was Their Majesties’ first trip abroad after the Emperor’s enthronement.
The Emperor of Japan also attended the reception hosted by the King for Heads of State and official guests abroad at Buckingham Palace on September 18, 2022, the night before the State Funeral.
On Tuesday, the King, patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, will visit an undisclosed cancer treatment center accompanied by Queen Camilla to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, following his own experiences, and also highlight innovative research supported by Cancer ResearchUK.