LONDON: Since being diagnosed with cancer, King Charles III made his first official public appearance here on Tuesday. Doctors expressed optimism about his treatment progress.
The British monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, visited a cancer treatment facility to meet specialists and patients.
After cancer was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate, Charles, aged 75, suspended his public duties in February. The exact type of cancer hasn’t been disclosed. His daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, underwent abdominal surgery in January and began chemotherapy in March, with no details on her cancer type. Kate, as she’s known, is married to Charles’s elder son, Prince William.
This visit to cancer treatment facility, the first of many planned engagements, aims to raise awareness of early cancer diagnosis and innovative research. Charles supports Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, while Camilla is president of Maggie’s, a cancer support charity.
Despite his diagnosis, Charles has continued attending church services, audiences, and state business. Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that doctors were “very encouraged” by his progress, though his schedule will be reduced and subject to medical advice.
Public reactions have been supportive, recognizing the importance of raising cancer awareness. Keegan Gray, 23, from New Zealand, praised the king for highlighting the issue, while Annie Rae Donaghy, 21, noted that Charles’s condition reminds people of the universality of struggle, regardless of status.
Charles and Kate’s diagnoses have disrupted the royal family’s schedule. Prince William has scaled back to support his wife and children, leaving fewer senior royals available. Camilla, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward have taken on more duties. Prince Harry, Charles’s estranged younger son, is set to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games in London on May 8 before visiting Nigeria with his wife, Meghan.
