King Charles will meet cancer patients to show that the disease “doesn’t have to be scary” in his first public engagement since his own diagnosis.
The Monarch will return to his royal duties on Tuesday with the blessing of his doctors visiting a cancer treatment center with his wife, Queen Camilla.
The couple are expected to join patients and their families in a touching show of support given the King’s own cancer battle and that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales.
A source told The Sunday Telegraph that the King is keen to demonstrate “how people can continue to live full lives during treatment, not just after”, while highlighting that cancer does not just affect those who suffer from the disease but ” to everyone around him.” them’.
They added: “Cancer may be a scary word, but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience.”
A new portrait of King Charles III and Queen Camilla has been released to mark the first anniversary of their coronation as Buckingham Palace announced their return to public duties.
Charles meets a patient on a tour of the North West Cancer Center at Altnagelvin Hospital during a visit to Northern Ireland on May 9, 2017.
Hopes were raised about Charles’ return to public duties when he took an Easter Sunday walk in Windsor.
Charles has not yet overcome the illness and is still undergoing treatment, but it is understood his medical team is “pleased with the progress made so far” and “remains positive” about his recovery.
To mark the news, Buckingham Palace announced two important events, the first of many, and thanked all the good wishes the King has received.
In addition to his departure on Tuesday, the King will also host a state visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the end of June.
The WhatsNew2Day has already revealed that Charles is being planned to attend his birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour, as well as Royal Ascot and the summer garden parties.
A source told The Sun that the King wants to appear on his favorite horse for the big event on June 15.
They stated that he is willing to “lead from the front” by putting on his spurs and saddling his horse Noble for the ceremonial birthday parade.
King Charles III, dressed in his Welsh Guards uniform, flanked by Prince William and Princess Anne, leaves Buckingham Palace on horseback to attend Trooping the Color on June 17, 2023.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla salute alongside Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince George of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color in 2023 .
Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Empress Masako welcome Charles before a court banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. October 22, 2019
Friday’s announcement was accompanied by a new portrait of Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, looking happy and relaxed, taken earlier this month to mark the first anniversary of their coronation.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said yesterday: “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 year. past”.
When asked how the King was feeling, a spokesperson said he was “very encouraged to resume some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.”
The King’s health crisis became public in January when it was announced that he was going to be admitted to a private hospital to undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate. He stayed at the London Clinic in Marylebone for three days.
At the time the condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but the following month 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 what treatment the King is receiving to deal with it.
Charles has continued to work behind the scenes, seen here meeting Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace on March 5.
Charles chats with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau via video link on March 6. He continued with his royal duties behind the scenes.
King Charles, 75, smiled as he met Mohamed Nasheed, 56, secretary general of the Climate Vulnerability Forum, at Buckingham Palace on March 27.
Officials have stressed that treatment is ongoing and said: “His Majesty’s treatment program will continue, but doctors are sufficiently satisfied with the progress made so far that the King can now resume a number of tasks ahead of the public”.
“Upcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risk to Her Majesty’s continued recovery.”
At this time they cannot specify how long treatment will continue.
A spokesperson added: “It is too early to say, but Her Majesty’s medical team is very encouraged by the progress made so far and remains optimistic 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 came when Charles took a brief public walk in front of Windsor Church on Easter Sunday.
But the monarch has not been able, until now, to undertake engagements with large numbers of the public either indoors or outdoors.
King Charles greets schoolchildren during a visit to Brecon Cathedral in Wales. Public engagements like this will soon be back on your agenda.
King Charles seen in September 2022, shortly after becoming king. He will return to public office next week.
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 will really want to do it if his health allows it.
A spokesperson added: “Plans continue to determine 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, while your health is compromised.
The Mail understands that the King is also hoping to undertake investitures (the giving of honours) in the coming weeks and months.
Again, ceremonies will likely be adjusted to take into account your condition and ongoing treatment.
The Palace declined to comment on whether members of the wider Royal Family, including Harry and Meghan, were informed in advance of their latest news.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on X that the King’s return to public duties was “brilliant news to end the week”.