The King’s health is heading in a “very positive” direction following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, a royal source said.
The update comes as King Charles, 75, prepares to mark the second anniversary of his accession to the throne on Sunday.
The King had a difficult second year as sovereign as both he and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, were undergoing treatment for cancer.
But the source said King Charles has approached the past year with “a determination to be as public as possible” to reassure the nation of his abilities.
The King and Queen are preparing for a major tour of Australia and Samoa in the autumn – their first major overseas trip since news of Charles’ cancer was announced.
“Health must remain the number one priority, even though it remains on a very positive trajectory,” the source said.
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.
Charles made his first public appearance since his diagnosis was revealed at a cancer hospital on April 30, where he met with other patients.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, wearing the State Diadem of George IV, during the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July
Camilla gave an insight into the King’s treatment this week as she opened a new cancer centre in Bath, revealing he was “doing very well”.
Downtime periods in Australia and Samoa will be built in, with not too many meetings back-to-back, taking into account the time difference and eliminating an expected trip to New Zealand to reduce travel demands, but Charles’ schedule is still expected to be “fairly full”.
The King has been encouraged this year by the support of Queen Camilla.
“Her natural warmth, resilience and sense of humor, as any patient will tell you, are wonderful things to have,” the source said.
“Of course, it has also been a stressful year for Her Majesty, but there was never a sense of despondency, just a determination that they would overcome this, as with so many other challenging issues in the past.”
The king spent around three months away from public duties when he was diagnosed with cancer in January after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate.
She then returned to work in April with a visit to a cancer centre in London, where she met with other patients.
The King’s aides took the opportunity to remind people that not all cancer recovery programmes are the same.
King Charles III waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation service in May last year.
King Charles III speaks to Maya Jama and Campbell Addy at The Sovereign’s Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, May 15
King Charles uses a pair of gardening shears to officially open the Royal Horticultural Society’s 200th Flower Show in Aberdeen on August 31
The King smiles during a visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s 200th Flower Show in Aberdeen
She had a number of high-profile engagements over the following months with the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in Portsmouth and Normandy, Trooping the Colour, the incoming Japanese state visit, a short trip to Jersey and Guernsey, the appointment of a new Prime Minister following Labour’s landslide general election, and the State Opening of Parliament.
“The best way to see how the King has dealt with the situation is through his actions and words – everything we have seen, everything he has said and everything he has done,” the source said.
‘From the first moment of the health problem, the King decided to be as public as possible, so that people could be sure of how much he could still do in those circumstances, following the advice of his doctors.
“It is clear that the situation has been gradually improving as the treatment and recovery programme has continued, with the result that the King will embark on a 19,000 kilometre journey to Australia and Samoa in a few weeks.”
The third year of his reign will see the continuation of his so-called “4 Cs” (his guiding principles of “culture, Commonwealth, community and climate”) with an additional secondary theme: “cancer”.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the official opening of Parliament on 17 July
King Charles III looks up as he waits to read this year’s King’s Speech.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the traditional Easter Sunday Matins service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on March 31.
The Royal Family during the flag parade at Buckingham Palace on June 15
The King is said to have been greatly encouraged by the way his personal health has been able to widen debate and engagement around the issues of all forms of cancer, such as increased screening for prostate cancer after he underwent surgery earlier this year.
She hopes to demonstrate how people diagnosed with cancer can, if it is appropriate for them, continue with their normal lives as far as possible.
King Charles became head of state immediately following the death of his mother, the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, who died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96.
He is expected to attend church and spend time in private prayer and reflection on the anniversary, which falls during his summer vacation at his estate in Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Highlands.
The source: ‘There will be personal thoughts, prayers and reflections.
“I’m sure it will be a very emotional day for everyone. How could it not be, especially considering the difficult year the whole family has been through?”
King Charles III on stage at the UK’s national commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 5 June
King Charles and Queen Camilla at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth
Britain’s King Charles III meets members of the public during a visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s 200th Flower Show in Aberdeen on August 31.
Saturday marks the annual Braemar Gathering, where the royal family usually sit front row to watch traditional Highland games, a short drive from Balmoral.
The King has been enjoying his summer break and looked happy and relaxed as he attended the Aberdeen Flower Show on Saturday.
Cannon salutes are usually fired on Accession Day, but as this year’s anniversary falls on a Sunday, when salutes are not traditionally fired, the military salute by the Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park and the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London has been moved to Monday.
Both participating regiments were responsible for firing the Death Gun salutes to commemorate the death of Queen Elizabeth II two years ago, and almost all participating soldiers and horses played a part in the Queen’s state funeral and proclamation of the King.