In February, Buckingham Palace made an announcement that shocked the world: King Charles had cancer and would step down from public duties to receive treatment.
Incredibly, just six months later, he is already considered fit. Enough to travel 10,000 miles for the next royal tour of Australia. and Samoa in autumn.
Courtiers were clear from the start that there would be no regular updates on the monarch’s health and recovery, only when it was necessary to reveal some important development.
Behind the scenes, the 75-year-old has had good days and bad, and like any cancer patient, the road to recovery has been difficult and forced him to accept a new reality.
The normally energetic grandfather has been forced to rest a lot, protect himself from infection in a “bubble” almost similar to the one against Covid, and even limit the time he spends with his son, Prince Harry, to protect himself from infection.
But the monarch’s keep-calm-and-carry-on attitude, much like her mother’s, means she has put on a brave face in public and few outward signs of what she has been enduring.
Royal watchers have understandably been concerned about Her Majesty’s well-being, with many wondering what kind of treatment she has been receiving, why she hasn’t lost her hair, and what kind of cancer she has been battling.
Now, insiders are shedding some light on what the King’s road to recovery has been like.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend a Sunday church service at the Sandringham estate on February 4, shortly before it was revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
In a sign of hope, as well as an insight into the trials Charles has endured in recent months, a source close to the monarch was reported today as saying: “The sun wasn’t shining in February, but it is shining now.”
The king was diagnosed with cancer after first going to hospital in January for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
While he has been open about his prostate problem, he is unlikely to reveal what type of cancer he has. The sun reports today, citing a source.
This is because their goal is to “reach and embrace as many people affected by cancer as possible,” they said.
“The more specific you are, the fewer people you can involve and support.”
The huge support he received from the public when he revealed he had undergone a prostate procedure, as well as the huge awareness it raised, encouraged the King to reveal his cancer diagnosis in the hope that the same would happen.
Charles made his first public appearance since his diagnosis was revealed at a cancer hospital on April 30, where he met with other patients.
His colleagues took the opportunity to point out that not all recovery programs for cancer patients are created equal.
It has been widely noted that he has not suffered any hair loss due to the treatment, which was said to be a natural concern for the King.
Fortunately, he has not experienced any debilitating side effects from the treatment, the details of which have not been revealed.
Charles made his first public appearance since his diagnosis was revealed at a cancer hospital on April 30, where he met with other patients.
A source told The Sun that its treatment “is not pioneering in any way as it is available to any cancer patient”.
“The treatments are very advanced and sophisticated, something that previous treatments were not,” they added.
However, treatment prevented her from appearing in the Standard Parade in June with her horse Noble, which was ridden by Princess Anne for the King’s birthday celebrations.
The palace is believed to have played down claims at the time that the monarch was “furious” at the decision.
He reportedly “accepted the reality of the situation,” understanding that even if it weren’t for the cancer, his prostate procedure would have prevented him from riding anyway.
King Charles III speaks to Maya Jama and Campbell Addy at The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, May 15
Rather than his ill health preventing him from carrying out his public duties, it has been claimed that The decision to postpone his public appearance was taken as a “precautionary measure” due to the King’s reduced immune response to other diseases.
During his 103 days away from public duties, Covid-style tiers were implemented and the number of people he could be with was restricted.
He was due to receive weekly treatment in London, including vital rest periods at Sandringham, Highgrove and Windsor.
This is said to have become chaotic early in his treatment when his son, Prince Harry announced that he would fly from Los Angeles to see his father.
The King delayed his helicopter flight to Sandringham, and Harry had only 30 minutes of his company at Clarence House, due to plans put in place to prevent the King contracting a secondary infection.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, wearing the State Diadem of George IV, during the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July
As the warmer months approached, they felt confident relaxing Covid-style levels, allowing them to take part in crucial events such as D-Day commemorations.
A source explained: “Rest and recovery must be taken as seriously as duty, public duty, so we build in rest periods and try to limit the number of hours a day spent on public duties.”
The King is also said to have been forced to eat at least a light snack at lunchtime after skipping food throughout his life.
Even though things are almost returning to normal (particularly on the surface, most notably with the King’s Speech last month), the Queen and the King’s closest aides are likely still urging him to take it easy as he continues on his road to recovery.